Changing or Cancelling an LPA

A Lasting Power of Attorney is not necessarily permanent. If your circumstances change and you still have mental capacity, you can review the arrangements and, where necessary, cancel or replace the LPA.

You can revoke an LPA completely while you have mental capacity. If the LPA has already been registered, this normally involves completing a formal deed of revocation and notifying the Office of the Public Guardian.

You may also be able to remove an individual attorney while keeping the remainder of the LPA in place. However, if you want to add a new attorney or make wider changes to the arrangements, you will usually need to revoke the existing LPA and set up a new Lasting Power of Attorney.

This may become relevant if your relationship with an attorney changes, an attorney is no longer suitable or available, or you want to reconsider who should act as your attorney.

Changes to your name or address do not normally mean that a new LPA is required, but the Office of the Public Guardian should be notified.

Once mental capacity has been lost, the donor can no longer simply revoke or replace the LPA themselves. Depending on the circumstances, involvement from the Court of Protection may be required.

Reviewing your LPA periodically can therefore help ensure the people appointed and the arrangements you made still reflect your wishes.

At MJV Solicitors, we assist clients with reviewing, revoking and replacing Lasting Powers of Attorney where circumstances have changed.

For a complete overview, read our guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney. For details of MJV Solicitors' fixed fees, see our LPA Price Guide.