A solicitor's charge for arranging a power of attorney is not fixed by any official scale, so it differs from firm to firm and is quoted separately from the £92 government registration fee. Preparing a single lasting power of attorney through a solicitor commonly costs a professional fee plus that registration fee, while doing it yourself through gov.uk means paying only the registration fee.
In England and Wales, the document most people mean by "power of attorney" is a lasting power of attorney (LPA). There are two types, and each is registered separately with the Office of the Public Guardian for a fee of £92 (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). This guide explains what a solicitor's fee actually pays for, how firms tend to price the work, and where the cost can be lower. Figures are current as at August 2026 and are subject to change.
The government registration fee (the part that is fixed)
Whoever prepares the document, an LPA has no legal effect until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. That registration fee is set by government, not by a solicitor, and is the same regardless of who helps you. There are two types of LPA, and each carries its own fee.
| Item | Fee (August 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register a property and financial affairs LPA | £92 | Covers money, property, bank accounts, bills and pensions |
| Register a health and welfare LPA | £92 | Covers care, medical treatment and where you live |
| Both types together | £184 | Two separate registrations |
Source: gov.uk/power-of-attorney/register, as at August 2026, subject to change. Registration usually takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
What a solicitor's own fee covers
The registration fee is the fixed part. A solicitor's fee is separate and pays for the professional work around the document, which is where most of the variation between quotes comes from. That work often includes:
- Talking through who to appoint as attorneys and replacement attorneys, and how they must act together or separately
- Drafting instructions and preferences so the LPA reflects what is intended
- Acting as, or arranging, the certificate provider who confirms mental capacity
- Getting the forms signed and witnessed in the correct order, which is a common reason applications are rejected
- Submitting the LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian and dealing with any queries
Because none of this is priced by a regulator, two firms can quote very different amounts for what looks like the same document. That is why a written quote that lists what is and is not included tends to be more useful than a single headline figure.
How firms usually price the work
Solicitors and estate planning firms generally quote for LPA work in one of two ways. Neither is inherently better, and the right one depends on how straightforward the arrangements are.
| Approach | How it works | Tends to suit |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee | An agreed price per LPA, or a lower price per document when both types are done together | Standard arrangements where the outcome is predictable |
| Hourly rate | Charged for time spent, so the total depends on how much work is involved | Complex family or business situations |
Whichever approach a firm uses, the registration fee is usually added on top, and some quotes are shown with VAT and some without. It is reasonable to ask whether a quote is per LPA or for both, whether the registration fee is included, and whether VAT applies. Fairchild Oldfield sets out its own approach on the pricing page.
Solicitor, will writer or doing it yourself
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to make an LPA. The choice affects both the cost and the amount of support involved.
| Route | Typical cost picture | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself via gov.uk | Registration fee only (£92 per LPA) | Lowest cost, but no professional check on appointments, wording or capacity |
| Estate planning specialist or will writer | A professional fee plus registration fee | Guidance without solicitor overheads; check the firm's standing and complaints route |
| Solicitor | A professional fee plus registration fee | Legal advice and regulatory protection, often at a higher fee |
Registration fee source: gov.uk/power-of-attorney/register, as at August 2026, subject to change.
An LPA is often prepared alongside a will and wider planning, such as arrangements that help with planning for, limiting or mitigating the impact of care fees, so it can be worth asking about the cost of the documents as a set rather than one at a time.
When the cost can be lower
The registration fee itself can be reduced or removed for people on lower incomes or certain benefits, which lowers the government part of the cost whichever route is used.
- 50% reduction. Available if gross annual income is less than £12,000 (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
- Full exemption. May apply to people receiving certain means-tested benefits, such as Income Support (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
These reductions apply to the Office of the Public Guardian fee only. A solicitor's or specialist's professional fee is a separate matter set by the firm.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
This guide describes England and Wales. Scotland has a different system, with continuing and welfare powers of attorney registered through the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland), and its own fees. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements, including enduring powers of attorney, overseen by the Office of Care and Protection. Anyone living in, or holding assets in, those nations would look at the local rules and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solicitor charge for power of attorney?
There is no official or fixed scale, so solicitors set their own fees and quotes differ between firms. The professional fee is separate from the government registration fee of £92 per LPA (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). Asking for a written quote that states what is included is generally more useful than a single headline figure.
Do you have to pay a solicitor to set up a power of attorney?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, and a lasting power of attorney can be made and registered through gov.uk for the registration fee alone. Many people still choose professional help so that appointments, wording and capacity are checked before the document is registered, because errors are a common reason applications are rejected (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
How much does it cost to register a power of attorney?
Registering one lasting power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian costs £92, and registering both types costs £184 (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). This fee is separate from any professional fee charged by a solicitor or specialist for preparing the document.
Is there any way to reduce the registration fee?
A 50% reduction may be available where gross annual income is less than £12,000, and a full exemption may apply to people receiving certain means-tested benefits such as Income Support (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). These apply only to the registration fee, not to a firm's professional fee.
Is it cheaper to set up both types of LPA at once?
The registration fee is charged per document, so both types together cost £184 in registration fees (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). Some firms offer a lower professional fee per document when both are prepared together, so it can be worth asking how a quote changes if both are done at the same time.
How long does registration take?
The Office of the Public Guardian states that registering an LPA takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). It is generally arranged well before it is needed, because it cannot be used until registration is complete.
To see how the documents fit within a wider plan, our guides to the lasting power of attorney and to estate planning cover the choices in more detail, and you can book a consultation to discuss your own arrangements.