Martin Lewis, the UK’s trusted financial expert and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has repeatedly urged people to prioritise setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – even before writing a will. In his words, “You’ll never regret putting an LPA in place – but you may really regret not doing it”.[1] In the same article, he states that any age is a good age – there really is no trigger age!
So why does he say this legal document is more important than a will?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint someone (an “attorney”) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself. There are two types:
Unlike a will, which only takes effect after death, an LPA protects you while you’re alive.
Martin Lewis explains that illness, accidents, or strokes can strike at any age, and without an LPA, your family have no legal authority to act. Instead, they must apply to the Court of Protection, which is:
By contrast, an LPA registration costs just £82 per document (people with low income / in receipt of certain benefits can pay £41 Court fee or no Court fee at all, depending on their circumstances) and can be set up in advance, giving peace of mind and control.
Martin Lewis has publicly shared that he set up his own LPA in his 30s. He urges people of all ages—not just the elderly—to consider it. His message is clear: LPAs are not just for later life—they’re for life’s unexpected turns.
If you want to make sure someone you trust can manage your affairs if you lose capacity, a Lasting Power of Attorney can provide vital protection. Our probate, wills and trusts solicitors can help you prepare the right LPA documents for your financial, property, health and welfare decisions.
Lawson West’s Phoebe Skarlatos, Head of Probate, Wills and Trusts agrees: “Unfortunately, our team have seen lots over our time in the business. There really is no age that people fall ill and require an LPA, and it falls to us, where they don’t have one, to break the bad news that they will need to look at the Court of Protection”. She further comments: “When you stop to think about all the aspects of your life, what would happen if you couldn’t do things. Without an LPA, that would be reality. Your mortgage wouldn’t get paid, your business may stop being able to pay it’s employees, you may not be able to settle credit card bills….the list goes on!”
Without an LPA, family members may need to apply through the Court of Protection before they can make decisions on your behalf. Putting an LPA in place now can give you more control and give your loved ones greater certainty.
A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to choose who can make decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself, rather than leaving relatives to deal with a longer court process later.
[1] Martin Lewis: Do you have a Power of Attorney? Here’s why it’s so important and how to get one
