Court of Protection application: step-by-step
A practical overview for a straightforward property and financial affairs deputyship application.
This is general information, not legal advice or a complete application checklist. Use the current official guidance for your circumstances. Urgent, disputed and personal welfare cases may need professional legal advice.
1. Check the application is right for your situation
A property and financial affairs deputy manages money and property for someone who lacks capacity to make those decisions. A deputy must be 18 or over and able to handle the financial responsibilities. Read the deputyship overview and who can apply before preparing paperwork.
2. Arrange the capacity evidence
COP3 records an expert opinion about the person's capacity. Arrange this with an appropriate assessor; Formsure does not carry out assessments. You can choose your own assessor or visit Gain Expert Assessments for information. Read the official COP3 page. If you cannot obtain an assessment, follow GOV.UK's instructions about COP24 rather than simply omitting the evidence.
3. Notify the person and other relevant people
Visit the person, explain the proposed application and provide COP14PADep, COP5 and relevant documents. Notify at least three people who know them using COP15PADep, COP5 and relevant documents. Allow the required 14-day response period. If three people cannot be notified, follow the official instructions about a COP24 statement.
Where does COP15 fit?
For this route, COP15PADep is the form for notifying other relevant people before submitting the application. It is different from COP14PADep, which concerns notifying the person the application is about. Use the official COP15PADep form and keep notification records and returned acknowledgements.
4. Prepare the forms for your submission route
Use current versions from the official forms collection. This table explains common form names; it is not a complete submission checklist.
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| COP1 | Application form for the postal route |
| COP1A | Supporting property and financial information |
| COP3 | Assessment of capacity |
| COP4 | Proposed deputy's declaration |
| COP14PADep / COP15PADep | Notifications and acknowledgements |
| COP5 | Acknowledgement, including objections or evidence |
Online and postal requirements differ. Postal applications include COP1 (original and copy) and COP14PADep. Online applications capture some notification information in the service; a representative's notification requires COP14PADep. Include returned COP5 forms where applicable. Follow the full application instructions.
5. Review, sign and submit
Submit within three months of notifying connected people; otherwise restart the notification process. Keep copies. Check signatures, dates, attachments and payment instructions for your chosen route.
For your final review, compare names and addresses across documents, check that financial figures are consistent and make a list of anything still unanswered. Receiving a Formsure pack by email does not mean the court application is submitted online for you.
6. Budget for separate fees
Allow for the court application fee, any assessor's charge, a hearing fee if required and any security bond. Following appointment, OPG assessment and annual supervision fees may apply. These are separate from Formsure's preparation fees. Check current deputyship fees and help with fees and the Formsure price list.
7. Follow the court's instructions after applying
Respond to requests for information. If appointed, read the court order carefully: it defines your authority. Arrange any required security bond before the order is sent. Applying does not itself give you deputy powers. Once authorised, keep records of decisions and transactions for the annual deputy report. See what happens when appointed.