I’ll be honest with you: most people put off sorting a Lasting Power of Attorney until something forces the issue — a parent’s diagnosis, a hospital admission, a “what if” conversation that suddenly feels less hypothetical. This guide covers what an LPA actually is, the two types, what it costs, and how registration works — wherever in Wiltshire you’re based.
What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to make them yourself. There are two types — one for property and finances, one for health and welfare — and you can set up either or both. Without one, your family has no automatic right to act for you, even if you’re married.
The Two Types of LPA: Property & Financial vs. Health & Welfare
Both types are legally separate documents, and it’s worth understanding what each one actually covers before deciding whether you need one or both. An LPA is also just one piece of a wider plan alongside your Will — our guide to Will writing in Wiltshire covers how the two fit together.
| Property & Financial LPA | Health & Welfare LPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Bank accounts, bills, property, investments | Medical care, daily routine, where you live |
| Can be used | As soon as it’s registered (with your permission) | Only once you’ve lost mental capacity |
| Typical use case | Managing money while you’re abroad, ill, or after a diagnosis | Care home decisions, medical treatment consent |
| Riverwise fee (single/couple) | £250 / £450 | £250 / £450 |
Most people benefit from having both — a Property & Financial LPA without a Health & Welfare LPA means someone can manage your bank account but has no say in your care, and vice versa.
Which Wiltshire Towns Does This Cover?
Wiltshire is a big county, and LPA rules don’t change from postcode to postcode — the Office of the Public Guardian registers every application the same way, regardless of where you live. Riverwise works with clients across Swindon, Chippenham, Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett, Highworth, Cricklade, Wroughton and Purton, with home visits available if getting to an office isn’t practical.
Why Set Up an LPA Now, Not Later
An LPA can only be made while you have full mental capacity to understand what you’re signing — that’s the part people usually miss. You can’t set one up retroactively once capacity is already in question. According to research commissioned by Canada Life (Opinium, 2022), 78% of UK adults have not registered a Lasting Power of Attorney, including 77% of people over 55. That’s the age group who arguably need one most, still going without.
How Do You Register an LPA?
Registering an LPA follows the same three steps everywhere in England and Wales — the OPG (Office of the Public Guardian) handles registration nationally, not locally.
| Step | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Draft | LPA is drawn up and signed by you, your attorney(s), and a certificate provider | 1-2 weeks |
| 2. Submit | Application sent to the Office of the Public Guardian, with the £92 registration fee per LPA | — |
| 3. Register | OPG checks and registers the LPA; it can then be used | 8-12 weeks online, 20-25 weeks by paper |
An unregistered LPA can’t be used, even in an emergency — so registering early, well before it’s needed, matters more than most people realise.
What Happens If You Don’t Have an LPA?
If you lose capacity without an LPA in place, your family cannot automatically step in — even a spouse has no default legal right to manage your finances or make care decisions for you. Instead, they’d need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order, which is slower, more expensive, and more stressful than setting up an LPA in advance. It can take several months, compared with the 8-12 to 25-week LPA registration window depending on how you apply.
How Much Does an LPA Cost in Wiltshire?
Riverwise’s LPA pricing is fixed and published, not quoted case-by-case:
| Service | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| LPA — Health & Welfare OR Property & Financial | £250 | £450 |
| LPA — Both H&W and P&F | £450 | £800 |
| LPA for Business | £650 | — |
On top of this, the Office of the Public Guardian charges a separate £92 registration fee per LPA — that’s a government fee, not a Riverwise charge. Initial consultations are free and no-obligation, at our Swindon office or by home visit across Wiltshire. Book a free LPA consultation to get an exact quote for your situation.
FAQs About Lasting Power of Attorney in Wiltshire
Do I need a solicitor to set up an LPA?
No — LPAs can be set up by a will writer like Riverwise; you don’t need to be a solicitor to draft one. We focus specifically on Wills, LPA and trust planning, and every LPA is reviewed carefully with you before it’s submitted.
Can my spouse make decisions for me automatically if I don’t have an LPA?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions — marriage doesn’t grant automatic legal authority over your finances or care. Without an LPA, your spouse would need to apply to the Court of Protection, which takes months and costs considerably more than setting one up in advance.
How long does an LPA take to register?
Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian currently runs 8-12 weeks if submitted digitally, or 20-25 weeks for a paper application, regardless of where in Wiltshire you live. Drafting and signing beforehand usually adds another 1-2 weeks, so plan well ahead either way.
Do you offer home visits across Wiltshire?
Yes — Riverwise offers home visit consultations across Swindon, Chippenham, Marlborough and the surrounding Wiltshire towns at no extra cost, alongside appointments at our Swindon office.
Can I set up an LPA and a Will at the same time?
Yes — many Riverwise clients do both in the same set of appointments, since the conversations naturally overlap. An LPA protects you while you’re alive but unable to decide for yourself; a Will only takes effect after you die. They cover different stages, and most people need both.
A word from Woody, our Chief Happiness Officer (he’s a dog): he can’t fill in your LPA forms, but he can confirm that the best time to sort this out is well before you need it — much like the best time to ask for a walk is before it starts raining, not during.
