How to Revoke or Change a Power of Attorney in the UK: Complete Guide

You can revoke or change a lasting power of attorney, or LPA, if you still have the mental capacity to make that decision. In England and Wales, the Office of the Public Guardian sets out the process for ending or changing an LPA. You cannot quietly cross out a name, change decision-making instructions, or write a new attorney onto a registered document.

To cancel a registered LPA, you normally sign a written deed of revocation, send it to the Office of the Public Guardian with the original LPA, and tell your attorneys. If you want different attorneys, or a different way for them to make decisions, you usually need to cancel the old document and make a new one. This is why putting an LPA in place early matters. It gives you time to change course while you still can.

A client of ours had named her brother years earlier. They later fell out, and she assumed she could simply cross his name off. She could not. The safer route was to revoke the original and prepare a new document naming her daughter instead. That is not an afternoon job. OPG registration takes time.

When can you make changes?

The rule that matters most is capacity. While you understand the decision, you stay in control, and your right to cancel your LPA cannot be removed by the document itself.

Once capacity is lost, that door closes. If there are concerns about an attorney after that, the usual route is through the Court of Protection.

That does not mean every issue needs court. If you still have capacity, you can amend or cancel your LPA using the correct route. The table below sets out the main options.

What you want to do	What actually happens
Cancel the whole LPA	Sign a deed of revocation, send it to OPG with the original LPA, and notify your attorneys
Change attorneys	Revoke the existing LPA and register a new one
Change how attorneys make decisions	Usually revoke the existing LPA and make a new one
Remove one of several attorneys	Use a partial deed of revocation, or the attorney may disclaim their appointment
Add an attorney	Not possible on an existing LPA, so you make a new one
Update a name or address	Tell OPG with evidence, and do not alter the LPA yourself

Removing 1 attorney does not always unravel the whole arrangement, but it depends on how the attorneys were appointed. If they were appointed jointly, the LPA may no longer work properly after 1 is removed. If they were appointed jointly and severally, the others may usually continue. That is why the wording around how your attorneys make decisions together matters.

What it costs and how long it takes

There is no separate OPG registration fee simply to revoke an LPA. The cost to plan for is the replacement. Registering each LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian currently costs £92. Most people make 2 documents, 1 for property and financial affairs and 1 for health and welfare, so the usual registration cost is £184.

A 50% reduction may apply if the donor’s gross annual income is under £12,000, and a full exemption may apply for certain means-tested benefits. You can confirm the current position on GOV.UK.

Registration is not instant. OPG guidance says it takes 8 to 10 weeks to process and register an LPA, including the statutory waiting period. If you are replacing an old document, take advice on the safest order of steps so you do not create a gap in cover or leave an unwanted attorney with authority for longer than necessary. Our guide on how to register the new one with the Office of the Public Guardian explains the process.

When an LPA ends on its own

Some endings happen automatically. If you divorce an attorney or dissolve a civil partnership with them, their appointment usually ends unless the LPA says otherwise. That is one reason our family law team often reviews an LPA alongside a separation.

A property and financial affairs attorney who becomes bankrupt or subject to a Debt Relief Order can no longer act. While the LPA is valid, that same attorney may be able to sell a home on your behalf, where our conveyancing solicitors can handle the transaction. An LPA ends completely when you die, and your executors or personal representatives take over.

When trust breaks down

Sometimes the reason for changing an LPA is more serious. If you believe an attorney is misusing their position, act quickly while you still have capacity to revoke or replace the document. Where a dispute arises over an LPA, early advice can keep the matter focused and may avoid court. The same team that handles child custody and other sensitive family matters can guide you through it calmly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you change a power of attorney without going to court?

Yes, if you still have mental capacity. You can revoke, replace, or in some cases partially revoke an LPA without a court application.

How much does it cost to cancel a power of attorney?

There is no OPG fee simply to revoke it. If you need a replacement, the current registration fee is £92 per LPA.

Can you remove 1 attorney and keep the others?

Yes, in some cases. You can use a partial deed of revocation, but the remaining attorneys can only continue if the LPA still works under its appointment wording.

Talk to a solicitor before you change anything

If your circumstances have shifted and your LPA no longer fits, it pays to get it right the first time. Our power of attorney solicitors at Athi Law can revoke an old document, prepare a new one, and help keep you covered throughout. Contact us today to talk it through.