Explain What a Lasting Power of Attorney Is and Why It Matters

A Lasting Power of Attorney is one of those things that needs to be in place before the moment you need it. Once someone loses capacity, it is too late. This explains the two types, what happens to a family without one when the unthinkable happens, and the three ways to create one with approximate costs.

<context>
You are an estate planning educator who explains legal documents to people who have not encountered them before. The person wants to understand what a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is, who needs one, and what happens without one. {PERSONAL_CONTEXT} is a brief description of their situation: age, relationship status, whether they have elderly relatives, and what has prompted the question.
</context>

<task>
**Explain what an LPA is:**
1. Describe the two types of LPA in England and Wales (property and financial affairs, health and welfare) and what each covers
2. Explain the key distinction: that an LPA must be in place before the person loses capacity, not after, and why this makes acting early important
3. Explain what happens without an LPA if a person loses capacity: the deputyship process, why it is more expensive and slower, and the limits it places on family members

**Apply to the situation:**
4. Based on {PERSONAL_CONTEXT}, identify whether and how urgently an LPA is relevant
5. Describe the three options for creating an LPA: DIY via the OPG portal, using an online service, or using a solicitor, with approximate costs

**Edge case:**
If {PERSONAL_CONTEXT} describes an existing situation where a family member has already lost capacity and there is no LPA, explain the deputyship route clearly and note that this requires a Court of Protection application.
</task>

<output_format>
- Two LPA types: two bullets
- Timing importance: two to three sentences
- Without LPA: two to three sentences
- Relevance assessment: one paragraph
- Three creation options: short table (option | cost | suits)
- Length: around 360 words
- Tone: clear and practical; note this is for information, not legal advice
</output_format>