Parent Just Diagnosed with Dementia? Your LPA Checklist

If your parent has just received a dementia diagnosis, you are probably feeling overwhelmed, scared, and unsure what to do next. This is one of the hardest things a family can go through.

But right now, in the middle of the shock and the grief, there is something urgent you need to know:

There is a window of time — and it is closing.

Your parent may still have the mental capacity to sign a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This legal document will allow you or another trusted person to manage their finances and make health decisions on their behalf when they can no longer do so themselves.

Without it, you will be locked out. The bank will say no. The doctors will not listen to you. And the only alternative is a long, expensive, stressful court process.

You need to act now. Not next week. Not next month. Now.

Start Your Parent's LPA Today — Just £74 →

---

Why Time Is Critical After a Dementia Diagnosis

Dementia is progressive. It gets worse over time. But in the early stages — especially right after diagnosis — many people still have what the law calls "mental capacity." They can understand what an LPA is, why they need one, and who they want to appoint.

This window can last weeks, months, or sometimes longer. But here is the brutal truth: once that window closes, it closes forever.

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, a person must have mental capacity at the moment they sign an LPA. If your parent's condition deteriorates to the point where they cannot understand what they are signing, it is too late. No solicitor, no online service, no amount of money can fix that.

What "Mental Capacity" Means

To sign an LPA, your parent must be able to:

Understand what an LPA is and what it does

Retain that information long enough to make a decision

Weigh up the options — who to appoint, what powers to grant

Communicate their decision in some way

A dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean they lack capacity. Many people in the early and moderate stages can still meet these criteria. But every day that passes is a day closer to losing that ability.

---

Your LPA Checklist After a Dementia Diagnosis

Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.

Step 1: Have the Conversation — Today

This is the hardest step, but it is the most important. Sit down with your parent and talk about LPAs. Be honest, be gentle, but be direct.

You might say:

*"Mum/Dad, I know this is a lot to take in. But there is something we need to sort out now, while we can. It is called a Lasting Power of Attorney. It means that if there comes a time when you cannot manage things yourself, I can step in and help. Without it, I would not be able to access your bank account, pay your bills, or have a say in your care."*

Most parents, once they understand the alternative, want to get this done. They want to protect their family from the nightmare of not having an LPA.

Step 2: Decide Which LPAs You Need

There are two types of LPA:

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

Allows your attorney to manage bank accounts, pay bills, deal with property, manage pensions and investments
This is absolutely essential — without it, no one can touch their money

Health and Welfare LPA

Allows your attorney to make decisions about medical treatment, care, where they live
Can include decisions about life-sustaining treatment
Only used when they lack capacity to decide for themselves

Our strong recommendation: get both. They cover different situations, and you will almost certainly need both as the dementia progresses.

At myLPA, each LPA costs just £74 — the cheapest in the UK. That is a fraction of what a solicitor would charge.

Get Both LPAs — From £74 Each →

Step 3: Choose the Right Attorneys

Your parent needs to decide who they trust to act for them. This is their decision, not yours. Common choices include:

Adult children — the most common choice
A spouse or partner — but consider their age and health too
A trusted friend or family member

They can appoint:

One attorney — simplest option
Multiple attorneys acting jointly — they must all agree on every decision
Multiple attorneys acting jointly and severally — they can act together or independently (usually the most practical)

Important: Always name at least one replacement attorney. If your chosen attorney cannot act (due to illness, death, or other reasons), the replacement steps in automatically.

Step 4: Get a Certificate Provider

Every LPA needs a "certificate provider" — someone who confirms that your parent understands what they are signing and is not being pressured.

This can be:

Someone who has known your parent for at least two years (a friend, neighbour, colleague)
A professional (doctor, solicitor, social worker)

Given the dementia diagnosis, a doctor or other medical professional is often the best choice. They can confirm capacity at the time of signing.

Step 5: Complete the LPA — Do It Online, Do It Fast

You do not need a solicitor. You do not need to spend hundreds of pounds. With myLPA, you can complete the entire LPA online in about 15 minutes.

Our guided questionnaire walks you through every question. We check everything for errors before submission. And at £74 per LPA, we are the most affordable option in the UK.

Complete Your LPA in 15 Minutes →

Step 6: Sign the LPA

The signing must happen in a specific order:

Your parent signs first (or makes their mark), in front of a witness

The certificate provider signs, confirming capacity

The attorneys sign, accepting their role

All signatures need an independent witness (anyone over 18 who is not an attorney).

Step 7: Register with the Office of the Public Guardian

Once signed, the LPA must be registered with the OPG. Registration currently takes 8 to 12 weeks. The registration fee is £82 per LPA (paid to the OPG).

Do not wait to register. An unregistered LPA cannot be used. Given that your parent's condition will progress, you want the LPA registered and ready as soon as possible.

---

What Happens If You Do Not Get an LPA in Time?

This is the scenario every family dreads. Your parent loses capacity before an LPA is in place. Here is what happens:

The Court of Protection — A Nightmare

Without an LPA, the only way to manage your parent's affairs is to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship order. This means:

Waiting 4 to 12 months for the application to be processed — while bills go unpaid and care decisions are in limbo
Paying £1,000 to £5,000+ in legal and court fees
Ongoing annual costs — the court charges supervision fees every year
A judge decides who becomes deputy, not your parent
Detailed annual reports must be submitted to the court about every financial decision
A security bond may be required, adding more cost

Compare that to an LPA at £74 + £82 registration — a total of £156 per LPA, done in weeks rather than months.

Banks Will Lock You Out

Without an LPA or Deputyship, banks will not allow you to access your parent's accounts. Not even to pay their mortgage. Not even to buy their food. Not even to pay for their care.

Some families discover this the hard way — standing at a bank counter being told they cannot withdraw money to pay for their parent's care home.

Medical Decisions Are Out of Your Hands

Without a Health and Welfare LPA, doctors make decisions based on what they believe is in your parent's "best interests." They will consult you, but you have no legal authority to direct care.

If you disagree with a medical decision, your only option is to go to court. While your parent suffers.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parent still sign an LPA after a dementia diagnosis?

Yes — in most cases, especially in the early stages. A dementia diagnosis does not automatically remove mental capacity. Many people retain capacity for months or even years after diagnosis. The key is acting quickly before the condition progresses.

How do we prove my parent has capacity to sign?

The certificate provider (ideally a doctor given the circumstances) will assess capacity at the time of signing. If there is any doubt, you can also ask for a formal capacity assessment from their GP or a specialist. This provides additional legal protection.

What if my parent is already too unwell to sign?

If your parent has already lost mental capacity, it is too late for an LPA. Your only option is to apply to the Court of Protection for Deputyship. This is more expensive, takes longer, and gives you less control — but it is the only route available.

How much does an LPA cost?

At myLPA, each LPA costs just £74 — the cheapest service in the UK. The OPG registration fee is £82 per LPA. So both LPAs (Property & Financial + Health & Welfare) cost £304 total. Compare that to solicitor fees of £500 to £1,000+ per LPA, or Court of Protection costs of thousands of pounds.

How long does the process take?

You can complete the LPA forms in about 15 minutes with myLPA. After signing, registration with the OPG takes 8 to 12 weeks. The sooner you start, the sooner it is ready.

Should we get both types of LPA?

Absolutely yes. With dementia, you will almost certainly need both. The Property and Financial LPA lets you manage money, pay for care, and deal with property. The Health and Welfare LPA lets you make medical and care decisions. Both are essential.

Can we do this without a solicitor?

Yes. You do not need a solicitor to create an LPA. MyLPA's online service guides you through the entire process for just £74 per LPA. We check every document for errors before submission.

---

Do Not Wait Another Day

Every day you wait is a day closer to that window closing.

A dementia diagnosis is heartbreaking. But amidst the grief, there is one thing you can do right now that will protect your parent and your family for years to come.

Get their LPA in place. Today.

It takes 15 minutes. It costs £74 per LPA. And it could save your family months of stress, thousands of pounds, and the helplessness of being locked out of your own parent's care.

Start Your Parent's LPA Now — Just £74 →

*myLPA is the UK's most affordable LPA service. We have helped thousands of families protect their loved ones. If you have questions, call us on 0333 049 5033.*

Parent Just Diagnosed with Dementia? Your LPA Checklist