Rejected applications must be resubmitted with additional fees, and since even error-free processing takes weeks, accuracy matters enormously. Here are the common reasons behind rejections, and how to avoid them.
A quick recap: the two LPAs
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets the donor appoint attorneys to make decisions on their behalf, and must be made while the donor still has mental capacity. There are two types: Property and Financial Affairs (banking, property, bills) and Health and Welfare (medical care, treatment, living arrangements).
A sobering statistic
A Freedom of Information request by Which? to the Ministry of Justice revealed 50,918 LPA submissions rejected in 2023-24 alone, 60% of them Property and Financial Affairs, and 162,023 rejected over five years. The trend has been rising sharply:
- 2019-20: 24,458 rejected
- 2020-21: 20,234
- 2021-22: 31,387
- 2022-23: 35,026
- 2023-24: 50,918
The consequences of a rejection
Registering an LPA currently costs £92 per document (£184 for both types). If your application is rejected you must reapply, within three months for a reduced fee, or in full again after that. Even approved LPAs are not immune: a misspelt name ("Anne" instead of "Ann") might pass the OPG but be refused later by a bank when the document is used.
How to get it right
Do
- Use full legal names, accurate birthdates and addresses, no initials or omitted middle names
- Confirm witness eligibility — an attorney cannot witness the donor's signature
- Follow the signing sequence: donor first, then certificate provider, then attorneys, each dated correctly
Don't
- Use the wrong or outdated forms, or mix pages from different documents
- Create contradictions, such as "jointly and severally" plus a majority-vote requirement
- Skip a detailed review — have a trusted person or a professional check it, or handle the whole application for you
Creating an LPA is a wise step in safeguarding your future decisions. By double-checking every detail, or having a professional handle it, you can avoid unnecessary delays and costs. We help families across North Somerset, Bristol and Bath get it right first time, at home and in plain English.