Alternatives
What is the difference between a will and an LPA?
Reviewed 3 November 2026 · England and Wales
In short
A will and a lasting power of attorney cover different times in your life. A will says what happens to your money and belongings after you die. An LPA lets people you trust make decisions for you while you are alive but unable to make them yourself. One takes effect after death, the other during life, so most people need both.
People often ask whether a will covers them if they lose capacity. It does not. The two documents do not overlap, which is why a complete plan usually includes both.
What a will does
A will takes effect only after you die. It sets out who inherits your estate, appoints executors to carry out your wishes, and can name guardians for children. It has nothing to say about decisions made while you are alive.
What an LPA does
A lasting power of attorney takes effect during your lifetime, to cover a period when you cannot make a decision yourself, whether through illness, injury or age. It lets your chosen attorneys act on your finances or your health and welfare. When you die, the LPA ends and your will takes over.
Why most people need both
A will with no LPA leaves a gap: if you lose capacity before you die, no one may have authority to manage your money or care, and your family could face a Court of Protection application. An LPA with no will leaves the other gap: your estate would pass under the intestacy rules rather than your wishes.
LPASafe prepares LPAs; our sister service WillSafe prepares wills. The Estate Bundle sets up a will and both LPAs together, in one go, for people who want the whole plan in place.
At a glance
| Will | Lasting power of attorney | |
|---|---|---|
| When it takes effect | After you die | While you are alive but lack capacity |
| What it covers | Who inherits your estate | Decisions on money, or health and care |
| Who acts | Executors | Attorneys |
| Ends when | Estate is distributed | You die (then the will takes over) |
Frequently asked questions
Does a will cover me if I lose capacity?
No. A will only takes effect after you die. If you lose capacity while alive, you need a lasting power of attorney for someone to act for you. The two documents do different jobs.
Should I make a will or an LPA first?
Ideally both, together. If you have to choose, think about your biggest risk: an LPA protects you while you are alive, a will protects your wishes after death. Many people set up all three documents at once.
Can I do a will and LPAs together?
Yes. The Estate Bundle sets up a WillSafe will and both LPAs in one checkout, prepared and checked together, which is simpler than doing them separately.
Related resources
What is a lasting power of attorney?
A plain-English guide to lasting power of attorney in England and Wales: the two types, how an LPA works, who is involved and how to set one up.
What happens if you don't have an LPA?
Without a lasting power of attorney, no one can automatically manage your affairs if you lose capacity. What really happens, and the Court of Protection route.
Which lasting power of attorney do I need?
Property and financial affairs or health and welfare? A clear comparison of the two types of LPA so you can decide which one, or both, you need.
LPA vs Court of Protection: which is cheaper?
The difference between a lasting power of attorney and the Court of Protection, why an LPA is far cheaper and faster, and what happens if you wait too long.
LPASafe covers England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different systems. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice. The LP1F and LP1H forms are available free on gov.uk.
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Get the whole later-life plan in place
A will and both LPAs, prepared and checked together with the Estate Bundle, so nothing is left to chance.