Can You Change or Remove an LPA Attorney? Complete Guide

Can You Change or Remove an LPA Attorney?

Yes, you can change your LPA attorney, but the process depends on your circumstances and whether your LPA is already registered.

Before Registration: Easy to Change

If your LPA hasn't been registered with the OPG yet, you can simply:

Not submit the current LPA

Create a new LPA with different attorneys

Destroy the old, unregistered LPA

Cost: Just the cost of a new LPA (from £74 with myLPA)

After Registration: More Complex

Once registered, you have several options:

Option 1: Create a New LPA (Recommended)

• Make a completely new LPA with your preferred attorneys
• Register it with the OPG
• The new LPA will be used going forward
• You can formally cancel the old one

When to choose this: You want different attorneys or different terms

Option 2: Formally Revoke the Existing LPA

If you have mental capacity, you can revoke (cancel) your LPA by:

Completing form LPA005 (disclaimer) or making a revocation deed

Notifying the OPG

Notifying your attorneys

Destroying the original LPA document

Important: Only do this if you're making a new LPA or no longer need one

Option 3: Partial Changes

Some changes don't require a new LPA:

• Updating attorney's address: Notify OPG with form LPA006
• Changing attorney's name (e.g., after marriage): Provide evidence to OPG

When Attorneys Are Automatically Removed

An attorney is automatically removed if they:

• Die
• Lose mental capacity themselves
• Become bankrupt (Property & Financial LPA only)
• Disclaim (formally give up) their role
• Divorce the donor (in some circumstances)
• Are removed by the Court of Protection

What If I Don't Have Capacity?

If you've lost mental capacity, you cannot change your own LPA. However:

Others Can Apply to the Court of Protection

The Court can remove an attorney if they:

• Are not acting in your best interests
• Are abusing their position
• Are not fulfilling their duties
• Have a conflict of interest

Who Can Apply?

• Family members
• Other attorneys
• Healthcare professionals
• Social services
• The OPG
• Anyone with a genuine interest in your welfare

Protecting Yourself: Replacement Attorneys

This is why appointing replacement attorneys is so important. They can step in automatically if your main attorney can't act, without needing court involvement.

Common Scenarios

"My attorney and I have fallen out"

If you have capacity: Create a new LPA with a different attorney If you lack capacity: Family can apply to the Court of Protection

"My attorney has moved abroad"

Consider whether they can still practically act for you. If not, you may want to:

• Appoint additional attorneys
• Create a new LPA with someone local

"My attorney is elderly and may lose capacity"

Ensure you have replacement attorneys appointed who are younger.

"I divorced my attorney"

Check your LPA—some automatically remove an ex-spouse as attorney. If not, you should create a new LPA.

Cost of Changes

Action

Cost

New LPA (before registration)	£74-140 (myLPA) + £82 OPG
New LPA (after registration)	£74-140 (myLPA) + £82 OPG
Revocation only	Free (but leaves you unprotected)
Court of Protection application	£371+

Our Recommendation

Review your LPA every few years to ensure your attorneys are still the right choice. It's much easier to update while you have capacity.

Review or Create Your LPA →