Do I Need a Lasting Power of Attorney? Take Our Quick Assessment
Do I Need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
The honest answer is: almost certainly yes.
But rather than taking our word for it, answer these 10 simple questions. Each one highlights a real-world situation where not having an LPA could leave you or your family in serious difficulty.
Grab a pen — or just count your "yes" answers as you go.
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The 10-Question LPA Assessment
Question 1: Do you own property?
If yes: You need a Property and Financial Affairs LPA.
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, nobody can sell, remortgage, or manage your property on your behalf — not even your spouse. Your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship order, a process that takes 4-12 months and costs £1,000-£5,000 or more.
Meanwhile, mortgage payments still need to be made. Council tax still needs to be paid. Repairs still need to happen. Without an LPA, your family is stuck.
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Question 2: Are you over 50?
If yes: The risk of needing an LPA increases every year.
One in three people over 65 will develop dementia. Strokes, heart attacks, and serious accidents become more common with age. The window to create an LPA closes when you lose capacity — and once it closes, it cannot be reopened.
The best time to create an LPA is while you are fit and healthy. The worst time is when you are already in hospital.
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Question 3: Do you have children under 18?
If yes: Your children cannot make decisions for you.
Many parents assume that if something happens to them, their children or other family members will simply "sort things out." They cannot. Minor children have no legal authority whatsoever. And adult children have no automatic right to manage your finances or make medical decisions, either.
An LPA ensures that a trusted person can step in immediately.
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Question 4: Do you have savings or investments over £5,000?
If yes: Nobody can access that money without an LPA.
Banks will freeze your accounts if they believe you have lost mental capacity. Your partner cannot withdraw money to pay your bills. Your children cannot access your savings to fund your care. The money is simply locked away.
With a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, your chosen attorney can manage your accounts, pay your bills, and ensure your money is used for your benefit.
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Question 5: Are your parents over 70?
If yes: Consider setting up an LPA for them too.
This is not just about you. If your parents lose capacity without an LPA, you will have no legal authority to help them — even with the best intentions in the world. You cannot access their bank accounts, sell their home to pay for care, or make medical decisions.
Many families set up LPAs together. At myLPA, you can create each LPA for just £74, making it affordable to protect the whole family.
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Check Your Score So Far — Then Keep Going →
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Question 6: Do you run a business?
If yes: Your business could be frozen without an LPA.
If you are a sole trader, director, or partner and you lose capacity, your business operations could grind to a halt. Nobody can sign contracts, access business accounts, pay employees, or make commercial decisions on your behalf.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can include specific provisions for your business, ensuring it continues to operate smoothly.
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Question 7: Are you married or in a civil partnership?
If yes: Marriage does NOT give your spouse automatic rights.
This is one of the most dangerous myths in the UK. Many people believe that being married means your husband or wife can automatically manage your finances or make medical decisions if you lose capacity. They cannot.
Without an LPA, your spouse has no more legal authority than a stranger. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection — a process that is expensive, stressful, and slow.
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Question 8: Do you have a health condition or family history of illness?
If yes: Act now while you still have capacity.
If you have been diagnosed with a condition like early-stage dementia, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, or any progressive illness, the urgency increases. You can only create an LPA while you have mental capacity. As your condition progresses, the window may close.
Even a family history of dementia or stroke is a strong reason to act now. Do not gamble with your future.
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Question 9: Do you have a mortgage?
If yes: Those payments do not stop because you lose capacity.
Your mortgage lender will not pause payments because you are in hospital or have lost capacity. If nobody has the legal authority to access your accounts and make payments, you risk falling into arrears and eventually losing your home.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA ensures your attorney can manage mortgage payments, deal with your lender, and protect your home.
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Question 10: Would you want to choose who makes decisions for you?
If yes: That is exactly what a Lasting Power of Attorney does.
Without an LPA, a judge at the Court of Protection decides who manages your affairs. They might choose a family member you would not have chosen yourself. They might appoint a professional deputy you have never met.
An LPA puts you in control. You choose who, you set the rules, and you decide what powers they have.
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Your Score
Count your "yes" answers.
| Your Score | What It Means |
| 0 out of 10 | You are in a very unusual situation. Consider an LPA anyway — life changes fast. |
| 1-3 out of 10 | You have clear reasons to get an LPA. Do not put it off. |
| 4-6 out of 10 | You are at significant risk without an LPA. Act now. |
| 7-10 out of 10 | You need an LPA urgently. Every day without one is a day unprotected. |
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The Good News: It Only Costs £74
Many people put off creating an LPA because they think it will be expensive or complicated. It does not have to be either.
At myLPA, we are the UK's cheapest LPA service:
- £74 per LPA — that is it. No hidden fees.
- Complete our simple online questionnaire in about 15 minutes
- We check your documents for errors before submission
- We guide you through signing and registration
£74 to protect yourself and your family. There is no reason to wait.
Get Protected Now — Just £74 Per LPA →
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What Happens Next
The entire process can be started and finished in less than an hour. Registration with the OPG takes 8-12 weeks, but you can get the paperwork done today.
Do not wait for a crisis. Every person who took this assessment and scored 1 or above has a reason to act now.
Ready to Create Your LPA?
Don't wait until it's too late. Get both types of Lasting Power of Attorney from just £140 with expert guidance included.
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