1. Signing in the wrong order
The donor must sign first. The certificate provider signs after the donor. Attorneys and replacement attorneys sign after the certificate provider. The registration applicant signs the relevant registration section after the attorneys have completed their sections.
Office of the Public Guardian guidance is explicit that an incorrect signing sequence can stop the document being registered.
2. Using an unsuitable certificate provider
The certificate provider needs to meet the eligibility rules and be independent enough to provide the required safeguard.
Do not assume that any relative or person involved in the document can do it. Check the current rules before they sign.
3. Not thinking through how multiple attorneys will act
Joint, jointly and severally, and mixed arrangements work differently. Choosing an option without understanding the practical effect can make decision-making harder later.
If you want a complex mixed arrangement or bespoke restrictions, individual legal advice may be appropriate.
4. Treating the two types as if they do the same job
Health and welfare covers personal and care decisions. Property and financial affairs covers money and property. One does not automatically grant authority in the other area.
Think about whether you need one type or both before you start.
5. Forgetting that registration is required
A completed and signed document still needs to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before attorneys can use it.
Allow for the government processing period and avoid leaving registration until a crisis.
Common questions
Questions people ask about this
What is one of the most serious signing mistakes?
Letting the attorneys sign before the certificate provider. The donor must sign first, then the certificate provider, then the attorneys.
Can a mistake mean starting again?
Some errors can require correction and some can result in a fresh document or application. Follow current Office of the Public Guardian guidance for the specific error.
Does Honour LPA guarantee registration?
No service can guarantee Office of the Public Guardian registration. Honour LPA is designed to make a straightforward application clearer and reduce avoidable errors.
Official guidance used for this guide
We use current Office of the Public Guardian and GOV.UK guidance as the primary reference for legal and registration information.
General information for England and Wales, not individual legal advice. Government rules, fees and processing times can change. Check current official guidance before registration.