Deputyship · England
Help with money decisions
Your browser or device provides the reading voice.
This guide explains a financial deputy.
A financial deputy has permission from a court to make certain money decisions.
You should get help to make your own money decisions.
Having a learning disability does not automatically mean someone else can decide.
Sometimes you cannot make a particular decision, even with help.
This is called lacking capacity for that decision.
The Court of Protection can choose someone to make certain decisions for you.
That person is called a deputy.
The court decides whether a deputy is needed.
Being your parent does not automatically let someone manage your money as an adult.
A deputy must have permission from the court.
Benefits are payments from the government.
A deputy may not be needed just to manage benefit payments.
The benefits office can choose someone to manage benefit payments for you.
This person is called an appointee.
This does not give them control over all your money.
Someone applying to be a deputy must give information to the court.
This includes information about the decisions you cannot make.
The person applying must tell you about the application.
For money applications, this happens before they apply to court.
Ask for help to understand and say what you think.
The court decides what the deputy can do.
The deputy must stay within those limits.
The deputy must involve you and keep records.
They must think about your wishes, beliefs and the choices available.
They must make decisions for your benefit.
The law calls this acting in your best interests.
What you can do next
Ask whether a financial deputy is needed.
Use the official guide for forms and application steps.
Ask for help to understand the forms.
Read the financial deputy application guide Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
Applying for a financial deputyship
A guide for families who may need court authority to manage an adult’s money.
Property and financial affairs · Applications for adults · England
1. Start with the person’s own decisions
Support the person to understand and make each decision wherever possible. Being their parent does not automatically give you authority over their money as an adult. Deputyship concerns decisions they lack capacity to make; it does not take away every choice.
2. Check whether another arrangement is suitable
Check for an existing power of attorney. A person aged 18 or over who has capacity to make a lasting power of attorney can choose that route. If only DWP benefits need managing, ask DWP about appointeeship. An appointee does not gain general authority over property and other finances.
3. Prepare the evidence and forms
Follow the public GOV.UK application page for COP1A financial information, COP3 capacity evidence and COP4 deputy’s declaration. Each proposed deputy completes their declaration. A paper application also needs COP1. Explain the particular financial decisions and why the person needs a deputy.
4. Notify people before applying
The finance route requires notification before submission. Visit and explain the application to the person, using COP14PADep. Notify at least three people who know them using COP15PADep. Provide the response forms and allow 14 days. If you cannot notify three people, explain why on COP24. Follow the official instructions about returned forms.
5. Submit and respond to the court
Apply online or by post using the public application route. Submit within three months of notifying the people connected to the application. Keep copies. The court may request more evidence or hold a hearing. You are not authorised to act as deputy until appointed.
6. Check fees and any security bond
Application, supervision and other charges may apply. Fee help depends on the relevant financial circumstances. If the court requires a security bond, arrange it as directed. This protects the person’s finances. Use the official fees page for current amounts.
7. Follow the order and keep records
The order sets the limits of your authority. Act in the person’s best interests, involve them and check their capacity for each decision. Keep their money separate from yours. Keep accounts, receipts and decision records, and complete the required annual report to the Office of the Public Guardian.
Words you could use
“Please help me check whether financial deputyship is needed, or whether supported decision-making, an existing power of attorney or DWP appointeeship is sufficient.”
Where the information comes from
Links checked 26 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- GOV.UK: apply for property and financial affairs deputyship Web page
The public online and postal routes, evidence, notification forms and deadlines. The page links the current forms.
- GOV.UK: benefits appointeeship Web page
A separate arrangement for a person who cannot manage their benefit affairs.
- GOV.UK: lasting powers of attorney Web page
The person must have capacity to make an LPA and be at least 18.
- Mental Capacity Act 2005, section 1 Web page
Presumption of capacity, support to decide, best interests and less restrictive options.
- GOV.UK: deputyship fees Web page
Current fees, security bonds and help with fees.
- GOV.UK: a deputy’s responsibilities Web page
Limits on authority, decision-making duties and keeping money separate.
- GOV.UK: the annual deputy report Web page
Recording decisions, consultation and finances for the Office of the Public Guardian.