Power of attorney protects you and your loved ones. Describe your situation and get instant plain English guidance on setting one up or what to do when things go wrong.
↓ Try the Checker NowA Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. There are two types: Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare. In England and Wales, registration takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application.
An LPA can only be made while the person still has mental capacity. If capacity is lost without an LPA, a Deputyship Order from the Court of Protection is required — more costly and complex.
Key areas covered: Lasting Power of Attorney, LPA, mental capacity, Office of the Public Guardian, deputyship, dementia. Checked against official sources.
Once an LPA is registered with the OPG, banks and other institutions generally still need separate notification before an attorney can act — each institution has its own process for verifying and recording an LPA, so it's worth confirming exactly what documentation each specific organisation needs.
An attorney has a legal duty to act in the donor's best interests — using their position for personal benefit or neglecting the donor's needs is a serious breach that the OPG can investigate, including suspending or removing the attorney where evidence supports it.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. Official information: GOV.UK: Office of the Public Guardian (England and Wales), Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) and nidirect (Northern Ireland). For free help, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604), or speak to a solicitor.
What you need to know
The checker below answers from the verified guide for your nation. These are the key points from each one.
Full guide: How Do I Make and Register a Power of Attorney in England or Wales? Last verified: 25 September 2026.
Full guide: How Do I Set Up a Power of Attorney in Scotland? Last verified: 25 September 2026.
Full guide: How Do I Make an Enduring Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland? Last verified: 25 September 2026.
This guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current figures and legislation on GOV.UK or seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Free to use: Run any checker, read your full results and download them as a printable report — no account needed.
Describe your situation and we'll check your rights
Tip: Focus on one issue at a time for the clearest answer. If you have multiple issues, run them separately for a full picture on each one.
Include which nation the person lives in, whether it is about making, registering or using a power of attorney, whether the person can still make their own decisions, and what has happened so far.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
What kinds of power of attorney are there?
In England and Wales there are 2 types of lasting power of attorney (LPA): health and welfare, and property and financial affairs. In Scotland a continuing power of attorney covers money and property, and a welfare power of attorney covers welfare decisions. Northern Ireland does not have lasting powers of attorney yet: you plan ahead with an enduring power of attorney.
When can an attorney start to use it?
In England and Wales, nobody can use an LPA until the Office of the Public Guardian has registered it. In Scotland, a power of attorney that is to continue or begin if you lose capacity has no effect until the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) registers it.
What if someone has already lost capacity?
In England and Wales a relative or friend may need to apply to the Court of Protection to become their deputy. In Scotland someone may have to go to court for a guardianship or intervention order. In Northern Ireland someone can apply to the Office of Care and Protection to be appointed as a controller.
Analysing your situation...
Checking against current UK law
Generating...
The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 25 September 2026.
Spotted something missing, wrong or out of date? Tell us, or comment on the guide.
Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
UK Work Rights is completely free and always will be. If this guidance helped you, a small donation helps keep the site running and updated for everyone.
100% goes to running and maintaining this free service. No pressure — the guidance is always free.