Is an Enduring Power of Attorney still valid?

Summary

If you set up a Power of Attorney before 2007, it was likely an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — a document that gives someone legal authority to manage your finances if you become unable to. But since Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were introduced, many people are unsure whether their existing EPA still works, or whether they need to switch. In this guide, we explain what an EPA is, whether it’s still valid, and when it might be worth replacing it with an LPA. If you're planning ahead — or reviewing an older arrangement — we’ll help you understand your options and make sure your affairs are protected. An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a legal document that lets someone you trust take care of your finances and property if you’re no longer able to do so yourself — usually due to illness, injury, or age-related conditions. EPAs were commonly used in England and Wales before 1 October 2007, when they were replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). While you can’t make a new EPA today, any that were properly set up before this date are still valid and legally recognised. However, unlike LPAs, an EPA only covers money and property matters — not health or care decisions.

Key information

• Covers finances only: Your attorney can manage bank accounts, pay bills, claim pensions, and buy or sell property.
• Still works if you lose mental capacity: But it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can continue to be used.
• Doesn’t cover care decisions: If you want someone to make healthcare or welfare choices for you, you’ll need to set up a separate LPA.
• If the donor has mental capacity, you can use the EPA without registration.
• If the donor loses mental capacity, you must register the EPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
• Office Of The Public Guardian by Gov.UK
• Register an Enduring Power of Attorney by Gov.UK
• If you set up a Power of Attorney before 2007, it was likely an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — a document that gives someone legal authority to manage your finances if you become unable to. But since Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were introduced, many people are unsure whether their existing EPA still works, or whether they need to switch.
• In this guide, we explain what an EPA is, whether it’s still valid, and when it might be worth replacing it with an LPA. If you're planning ahead — or reviewing an older arrangement — we’ll help you understand your options and make sure your affairs are protected.
• An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a legal document that lets someone you trust take care of your finances and property if you’re no longer able to do so yourself — usually due to illness, injury, or age-related conditions.
• EPAs were commonly used in England and Wales before 1 October 2007, when they were replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). While you can’t make a new EPA today, any that were properly set up before this date are still valid and legally recognised.
• However, unlike LPAs, an EPA only covers money and property matters — not health or care decisions. So if you want someone to make decisions about things like medical treatment or living arrangements, you’ll also need a Health and Welfare LPA.

Practical guidance

• Source: Is an Enduring Power of Attorney still valid?

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