Do I have to have a diagnosis to pass an LPA capacity assessment?

No. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to grant an LPA. What matters is that you can understand, retain, use or weigh, and communicate information about the decision.

Can you assess me for both Finance and Health LPAs in one appointment?

Yes. We can complete both assessments in one visit, but we will produce two separate reports — one for each decision — to meet legal requirements.

Who can carry out an LPA capacity assessment?

Assessments should be completed by a suitably qualified and experienced professional, such as a registered social worker, doctor, occupational therapist, or another trained professional.

How long does an assessment take?

Most assessments take between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the decision type and communication needs. We always work at a pace that's comfortable for you.

Will my solicitor accept your report?

Yes. Our reports are fully compliant with the MCA 2005 and OPG standards, and are widely accepted by solicitors and courts across England and Wales.

Smiling elderly man in a straw hat embraces a woman outdoors after a successful mental capacity assessment for Lasting Power of Attorney, surrounded by greenery.

Capacity to Grant a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Independent, decision-specific assessments to support the creation of property & finance or health & welfare LPAs. Over 6,000 assessments completed nationwide, delivered by our expert multidisciplinary team.

Book an LPA Capacity Assessment — from £495

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What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows someone (the donor) to appoint trusted people (attorneys) to make decisions on their behalf if they lose the capacity to do so in the future.

There are two types of LPA:

Property & Financial Affairs – covering decisions such as managing bank accounts, paying bills, selling property, or handling investments.
Health & Welfare – covering decisions about medical treatment, care arrangements, and day-to-day living needs.

To create an LPA, the donor must have the mental capacity at the time of signing. This means they must be able to:

Understand what an LPA is and the powers it gives.
Retain that information long enough to make a decision.
Use or weigh the information to decide whether to proceed.
Communicate their decision by any means.

At Nellie Supports, our independent assessments provide clear, court-ready evidence that the donor had the necessary capacity. This protects the donor’s wishes, reassures their family, and ensures the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) can register the LPA without delay.

Need to speak to someone? Call our team today.

When, Where, Who & How Much - Your LPA Capacity Questions Answered

01

When You’ll Need an LPA Capacity Assessment

You should consider commissioning a capacity assessment when:

A solicitor or Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) requires formal proof that a person can validly grant a Lasting Power of Attorney
There is concern about memory, cognition, or decision-making ability at the time the LPA is to be signed
Family members or professionals question whether the person fully understands the roles, powers and risks involved
The proposed donor has fluctuating capacity or underlying health diagnoses
The process needs legal reassurance before proceeding

02

Where We Perform the Assessment

We conduct assessments throughout England & Wales. Wherever possible, we meet in a setting familiar and comfortable to the donor (their home, care setting, solicitor’s office). In appropriate circumstances, parts of the assessment may be conducted remotely (e.g. via secure video), particularly for follow up or clarification.

03

Who Can Conduct It & What Makes Ours Different

An LPA capacity assessment must be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced professional.

This may include:

Registered social workers trained in mental capacity law
Medical doctors (GPs, psychiatrists, consultants)
Occupational therapists with capacity expertise
Suitably qualified professionals with psychology, cognition or capacity experience

At Nellie Supports, our assessors are employed in-house full time — not freelancers. That means your assessment benefits from consistent quality, peer review, legal oversight, and reduced delays. Because our assessors specialise in capacity law and work as part of a multidisciplinary team, you gain from deep experience and institutional support.

04

Cost / Pricing

A capacity assessment to grant an LPA is priced at £496.00 (exclusive of VAT and assessor travel).

This covers:

The full structured assessment interview
A legally robust, peer-reviewed written report confirming capacity status
Documentation suitable for use by solicitors or OPG

If additional complexity arises (e.g. multiple powers, cognitive tests, further expert input), we will provide a clear written estimate in advance. You’ll always receive a written fee confirmation before any work begins.

Why Finance & Health LPAs Are Assessed Separately

Although both types of LPA are often applied for at the same time, the law treats Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare LPAs as separate legal instruments. Each requires its own capacity assessment, because the decisions involved are different in nature and complexity.

Property & Financial Affairs — focuses on the donor’s understanding of financial responsibilities, property ownership, and management of assets.
Health & Welfare — explores the donor’s ability to understand care choices, medical treatment decisions, and the role of appointed attorneys in safeguarding their wellbeing.

At Nellie Supports, we can assess both LPAs in a single combined visit, reducing stress for the donor and ensuring efficiency. Each assessment is documented separately in a clear, legally robust report, so that the Office of the Public Guardian has the evidence needed to register both instruments.

Need advice? Speak to our team

Why Choose Nellie Supports?

Assessments start from £495 + VAT (+ travel), with clear costs agreed upfront.
Reports delivered within 5–10 working days, helping you register LPAs without delay.
Every assessment follows the Mental Capacity Act 2005 functional-first test, ensuring legal compliance and reliability.
Our assessors include independent social workers, psychologists, and other qualified professionals — matched to the needs of each case.
In-person or remote assessments available across England & Wales.

Our Process – Step by Step

Initial enquiry & triage

Contact us by phone, email, or our online form. We’ll confirm whether you require an assessment for Finance, Health, or both, explain the process, and provide a clear written quotation (including VAT and travel if applicable).

Appointment Booking

A suitably qualified and experienced assessor will meet you — at home, in hospital, care setting, or via secure video — to carry out the assessment. The conversation is gentle, decision-specific, and guided by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. If helpful, we may use cognitive screening tools (such as the MoCA) to support our findings.

Report Writing

Your assessor prepares a comprehensive, court-ready report for each LPA decision assessed. All findings are linked directly to the MCA 2005 four-part functional test and clearly document the reasoning behind our professional opinion. Every report is peer-reviewed internally for quality and legal compliance.

Report Despatch

You receive the report securely within 5–10 working days. Minor amendments are free within 14 days, and your assessor remains available to clarify the findings with legal teams, courts or healthcare professionals if required.

Two older men laughing together in armchairs during a Lasting Power of Attorney capacity assessment, reflecting trust, comfort, and supportive professional guidance.

Case Study: Supporting an LPA for a Supporting an LPA for a Client with Early DementiaLiving with Dementia

When Mr T, a retired engineer, was recently diagnosed with early-stage dementia, his solicitor advised him to create both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare LPAs. Some family members were worried that his diagnosis might prevent him from completing the process.

The Challenge
Mr T’s family wanted reassurance that his LPAs would be accepted by the Office of the Public Guardian and not challenged in the future. Without independent evidence of his capacity, there was a risk that the applications could be delayed or disputed.

Our Solution
Nellie Supports arranged an assessment within a week. A specialist assessor visited Mr T at home, adapting communication to his needs and ensuring he felt comfortable. The assessor applied the functional-first test under the MCA 2005, carefully documenting Mr T’s ability to:

Understand the purpose and effect of each LPA
Weigh the benefits and risks of appointing attorneys
Communicate his decisions clearly

The Outcome
A detailed, CPR Part 35–compliant report was delivered within 7 working days. This provided the solicitor with independent, court-ready evidence of Mr T’s capacity. His LPAs were registered without delay, giving his family peace of mind that his wishes would be respected.

Key Takeaway
Even with a diagnosis such as dementia, individuals may still have the capacity to make important decisions. Independent, expert assessment ensures that LPAs are legally valid and protected from challenge.

Expert Commentary
on LPA Capacity Assessments

Explore our articles on LPA capacity assessments, with practical guidance, common challenges, and expert insights to support families, solicitors, and deputies navigating the Mental Capacity Act 2005.