You may be able to take this on yourself.
If a professional deputy currently manages a family member’s finances, lay deputyship may be a realistic option in the right circumstances.
Before anything else — does a Lasting Power of Attorney already exist?
The Court of Protection will usually not appoint a deputy if a valid LPA or EPA already exists for property and financial affairs.
If you are unsure, check the OPG register first.
Most families assume lay deputyship isn’t for them. Many have more options than they realise.
Professional deputyship is often used when things are complex or urgent at the start.
But circumstances change. After major one-off decisions, ongoing work is often more predictable.
If you have wondered whether you could do this yourself, it is worth exploring.
When is lay deputyship a realistic option?
Lay deputyship tends to work well when:
- Major high-value decisions are already complete or clearly managed
- The ongoing financial picture is relatively stable: regular income, predictable outgoings, a settled care arrangement
- A family member is willing to take on the responsibility and has the time to do it properly
- Professional advice has confirmed that the case does not require ongoing specialist oversight
The following are factors the Court of Protection will weigh carefully when assessing suitability — and where you should take particular care to get independent advice before applying:
- The estate is very large or highly complex (multiple properties, investment portfolios, business interests)
- There is significant family conflict about financial decisions
- The deputy candidate has their own financial difficulties or conflicts of interest
- The Court of Protection has previously imposed specific requirements that necessitate professional oversight
Not sure where your case sits? This is where independent legal advice is important.
What does a lay deputy actually have to do?
A P&FA lay deputy’s ongoing responsibilities typically include:
- Managing P’s bank accounts, income, and day-to-day expenditure
- Keeping clear financial records throughout the year
- Submitting an annual deputy report to the OPG in the format or form they ask you to complete
- Making financial decisions in P’s best interests, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Liaising with banks, benefits agencies, and care providers as needed
- Knowing when a situation requires independent legal input — and having a relationship with a deputyship solicitor who can advise on a needs-only basis when it does
Reporting requirements can change, so always follow the current instructions from OPG.
DeputyWise is built to make this workflow clearer and easier to manage.
You don’t lose legal expertise when you become a lay deputy. You change how you access it.
Becoming a lay deputy does not mean giving up legal expertise.
Some situations still need specialist legal input. The key is getting advice when it is needed.
Many families do not need year-round full-service legal management.
A common model is targeted advice from a deputyship specialist when specific issues arise.
That can provide confidence while keeping day-to-day control with the family.
How do you transition from a professional deputy to becoming one yourself?
This is a formal legal process and should be done with advice. Broadly, it involves:
- Taking independent legal advice to assess whether your situation is suitable — a deputyship solicitor or specialist adviser can give you an honest view
- Applying to the Court of Protection — follow the current GOV.UK process for property and financial affairs applications, including notifying the relevant people and submitting the required forms. COP3 (the capacity assessment) must be completed by an appropriate professional, which often takes time to arrange.
- Starting under the new court order — if appointed, you may need to set up a security bond before acting (this is not required in every case). OPG will then supervise the deputyship, and new deputies typically begin on general supervision in year one.
The process takes time and has costs, including Court fees and, in some cases, a security bond.
DeputyCo does not provide legal advice — but as the DeputyCo community grows, it is intended to become a place where people can share practical experience of this process.
The financial case
Professional deputy costs can include routine annual management fees and additional charges for major transactions or court applications.
In routine years, costs may be moderate. In complex years, they can increase significantly.
All of these fees are paid from P’s estate.
As a lay deputy, your main ongoing costs are:
- OPG supervision fees: £320/year (general supervision) or £35/year (minimal supervision, for estates under £21,000)
- Security bond: an annual premium required by the OPG (amount varies by estate size)
- Legal advice as needed: typically £150–400/hour from a deputyship specialist — sought when something genuinely requires it, not retained year-round
- DeputyWise: a fraction of those costs, free during early access
For some families, lay deputyship can reduce ongoing costs while increasing visibility and involvement.
Not sure if this is right for you? Start by exploring your options.
The DeputyCo community is still in its early stages, but you can join now to help shape practical discussion and support as it grows.