If you’ve ever had to deal with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) in the last few years, you’ll know that "speedy" isn't exactly the word that comes to mind. In fact, watching a glacier move might feel more productive than waiting for a paper-based Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to be registered.
I’ve spent years helping families navigate the mountain of paperwork required to protect their health and finances. And let’s be honest: the current system is a bit of a relic. We are still essentially posting thick bundles of paper across the country, hoping someone with a physical stamp approves them before the donor loses capacity or the world ends (whichever comes first).
But things are finally changing. The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 is the catalyst for the biggest shake-up in estate planning since, well, the 2007 Act that created LPAs in the first place. We are currently in March 2026, and the digital rollout is finally hitting its stride.
In my opinion, this is both a long-overdue blessing and a potential disaster for older people if we pretend “digital” automatically means “easy.” Here is what you need to know about the digital revolution of LPAs, why it matters for your security, and why I’m wary of the coming wave of DIY “it’s just a form” thinking.
The Problem with the "Old" Way
To understand why the 2023 Act is such a big deal, you have to appreciate the mess we are leaving behind. For years, the process has been: print a 20-page document, get everyone to sign in a specific order with "wet ink" (yes, real pens!), post it, and wait 10 to 20 weeks.
If you made a tiny mistake: like signing in the wrong box or forgetting a middle name: the OPG would reject it, keep a chunk of your fee, and tell you to start again. (Cue distant screaming from frustrated families).
The new Act aims to fix this. It’s about dragging the process into the 21st century. I’ve always thought it was absurd that I could buy a house or manage a stock portfolio online, but I couldn't legally state who should look after my bank account if I got dementia without using a stamps and envelopes.
1. Digital Applications: Faster… but Not “Simple”
The headline change is the move to a fully digital platform. The 2023 Act allows LPAs to be created, signed, and registered entirely online.
The best part? Real-time error checking.
The system won't let you submit the form if you’ve missed a signature or entered contradictory information. This alone should slash those soul-crushing 20-week delays. In my view, this is a sensible move. Anything that stops the OPG from returning documents for "clerical errors" is a win in my book.
But here’s the sting in the tail: digital doesn’t mean straightforward for everyone. For plenty of older people, “just do it online” can mean:
- confusion over logins, emails, passwords and security checks,
- struggling with identity verification (especially if you don’t drive / don’t have a passport),
- relying on a well-meaning adult child to “help” (which is exactly where pressure and misunderstandings can creep in).
And the bigger problem? Digital systems create a false sense of safety. People see green ticks and assume it’s correct. The portal can check if a box is filled in. It can’t check whether the choices you’ve made will actually work in real life when the family dynamic gets messy (and it often does).
2. Identity Verification: The End of the Wild West?
This is where I get a bit opinionated. One of the biggest criticisms of the old paper system was how easy it was to commit fraud. If you had a printer and a pen, you could technically forge a signature and name yourself as someone’s attorney. The OPG didn't really check if "John Smith" was actually John Smith.
The 2023 Act introduces mandatory identity verification.
Whether you are the donor (the person making the LPA), the attorney, or the certificate provider, you will now have to prove who you are. This might involve using a digital ID check (like the ones used for banking apps) or other secure methods.
Is it a bit more "Big Brother"? Maybe. But is it necessary? Absolutely. I’m wary of anything that makes things too easy for fraudsters, and this layer of security was decades overdue. It’s no longer optional to just "take someone's word for it."
3. The "Donor-Only" Registration
Under the previous rules, either the donor or the attorneys could apply to register the LPA. The new Act changes this: only the donor can apply to register a digital LPA.
Why does this matter? It’s a safeguard. It ensures that the person making the power is actually aware it’s being registered. It prevents a "rogue attorney" from pushing through a registration while the donor is still fully capable and perhaps unaware that their kids are trying to take the keys to the kingdom.
Personally, I think this is a brilliant move for protecting vulnerable adults. It keeps the power where it belongs: with the individual.
4. Better Objection Rights
If you thought the old objection process was clunky, you were right. Previously, if you wanted to stop an LPA from being registered because you suspected foul play, the process was about as clear as mud.
The new Act expands the group of people who can object and simplifies how they do it. It gives the OPG more teeth to pause a registration if red flags are raised. While this might add a few days to the process, it’s a price worth paying for better security.
5. The Hybrid Option (For the Tech-Averse)
I know what some of you are thinking: "My 85-year-old dad doesn't have a smartphone, let alone a digital ID."
Don't panic. The Act isn't banning paper. There is a "hybrid" model where some parts can be done digitally and others on paper. For those who are completely "offline," there will still be a route to get things done, though I suspect the OPG will make the digital route much more attractive (and probably cheaper in the long run).
As it stands in 2026, the registration fee is £92 per LPA, regardless of whether you go digital or paper, though we are all waiting to see if they introduce a "digital discount" later this year.
What Hasn't Changed? (The Stuff That Still Matters)
Despite all the shiny new tech, the legal core of an LPA remains the same. You still need a Certificate Provider: someone like me, or a doctor, or a long-standing friend: to confirm that you understand what you’re doing and that no one is forcing you into it.
You also still need to make the big decisions:
- Who do you trust with your money?
- Do you want your attorneys to have the power to give or refuse life-sustaining treatment?
- Should they be able to sell your house?
A digital form doesn't make these choices for you. It just makes the paperwork easier.
And this is exactly where I think Digital LPAs could go badly wrong: younger relatives may be tempted to treat it as a quick DIY “form-filling” job. A Sunday afternoon, a laptop, and a “we’ll just get it done for Mum” attitude.
That’s not planning. That’s rolling the dice with one of the most powerful legal documents you’ll ever sign.
If you want to see the full list of what to consider, I’d suggest checking out our legal planning checklist.
Why You Shouldn't Wait for the "Perfect" System
If you don't have an LPA in place yet, you might be tempted to wait until the digital system is "fully bedded in" or until they iron out the inevitable IT bugs.
That would be a mistake.
The reality is that we are currently in a transition period. The OPG is still "crawling its way through" a backlog of old applications while trying to manage the new digital stream. If you lose capacity tomorrow: whether through a sudden accident or a health crisis: and you don't have an LPA, your family will have to apply to the Court of Protection.
That process currently costs about £408 for the application fee alone, plus thousands in legal fees, and takes over a year. It is a total legal mess that you do not want to leave for your spouse or children.
Whether you use the new digital system or the tried-and-tested paper route, the most important thing is that the document exists. You can read more about why this is so critical in my estate planning update.
My Professional Verdict
The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 is a net positive. It’s more secure, it’s (theoretically) faster, and it reduces the chance of silly errors ruining an application.
But it also supercharges DIY culture. And that’s where I start getting twitchy.
A digital portal will tell you how to fill in a box, but it won't tell you if you should appoint your spendthrift nephew as your financial attorney. It won't warn you about the potential for family arguments down the line, something I’ve written about extensively in my post on avoiding arguments over your will.
Why DIY Digital LPAs are often flawed (even when they “look fine”)
I’m not saying people are stupid. I’m saying the document is deceptively powerful, and the most common DIY issues aren’t typos: they’re judgement calls.
In my experience, DIY LPAs are often improved by professional oversight because people:
- pick the wrong attorneys (or too many, or the wrong mix) and accidentally create a decision-making deadlock,
- don’t think through “jointly” vs “jointly and severally” and how that plays out when someone is ill, abroad, or simply difficult,
- miss sensible safeguards (or add “protections” that are so restrictive the LPA becomes awkward to use),
- write unclear preferences/instructions that cause banks, care homes, solicitors—or the attorneys themselves—to hesitate,
- forget the practical reality: that this document is used under stress, often during a crisis, with family emotions running high.
And here’s the uncomfortable bit: Digital LPAs could be a disaster for older people if they’re nudged into “letting the kids handle it.” Even with the best intentions, it can blur the line between “helping” and “taking over.” Digital convenience makes that blur easier.
Where I add real value (and why it matters)
When I advise on LPAs, I’m not just “filling in forms.” I’m stress-testing the plan so it holds up in real life:
- I help you choose attorneys and replacements that actually work (on paper and in practice)
- I spot the common traps before they become expensive problems
- I make sure your LPA is robust, usable, and effective—not just “submitted”
If you’re doing an LPA yourself, you might still end up with something valid. But in my opinion, the average DIY LPA would almost always be improved with professional guidance—because the “gotchas” only show up later, when capacity has already been lost and fixing it is no longer simple (or even possible).
We are moving into a world of "DIY Law," and while I'm all for efficiency, I’m wary of people rushing through these documents without thinking about the long-term consequences. These are incredibly powerful documents: they literally give someone else the right to sign your name and decide where you live.
Ready to Get Protected?
The "Digital LPA" isn't a future concept anymore; it's here. But I’ll be blunt: this is not something I’d treat as casual DIY for an older relative. Not because the portal is “hard,” but because the decisions are easy to get wrong, and the consequences land later when you least need extra stress.
Whether you want to navigate the new OPG portal yourself or you’d prefer me to guide you through it properly—so your LPA is clear, robust, and actually usable when it’s needed—I’m here to help.
Don’t leave it to chance. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your future is secure is worth far more than the £92 registration fee.
If you’re ready to get your LPAs sorted: or if you’ve done a DIY LPA already and want a professional sense-check to tighten it up: just get in touch. I’ll make sure it’s done properly (and not just “submitted”).
Are your affairs ready for the digital age—or is “quick and easy” quietly setting you up for trouble later?
Stephen Pett
Owner, The Professional Will Writer