Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Website to apply: https://opg-eservice.msf.gov.sg/

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf (to manage personal welfare, property, and financial affairs) in the event of a loss of mental capacity.

https://www.msf.gov.sg/what-we-do/opg/lasting-power-of-attorney/what-is-a-lasting-power-of-attorney

A LPA is different from a will. A will takes effect only after a person passes away while a Lasting Power of Attorney takes effect when a person is still alive but loses mental capacity.

How to make a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Contact clinic at 6970 0560 or WhatsApp us at 9788 1157 to make an appointment for LPA.

How much does it costs to make a LPA?

You will need arrange for an appointment to be certify fit by accredited doctors for your LPA nomination. While the LPA application fee is waived by government till 31st March 2023, there is a charge for the medical examination conducted at the clinic.

Our Charges: $60 (before GST) for LPA nomination if done in clinic, $200 (before GST) for Housecall LPA nomination.

Who can make a LPA?

You have to be at least 21 years of age and above and possess mental capacity, in order to make a LPA nomination.

Assessment of donor's mental capacity will be performed by doctor before LPA Form 1 will be signed.

What to bring on the day of LPA nomination appointment?

Please prepare the online LPA draft in advance ( https://opg-eservice.msf.gov.sg/ ) and ensure donee has accepted nomination before making appointment with us for medical assessment.

Who are the parties involved in a LPA?

1. Donor = you

2. Donee = appointed person(s) to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity

3. Certificate Issuer = a medical practitioner accredited by the Public Guardian (eg. Dr Tan Yan Yuan) or practising lawyer or registered psychiatrist

4. Office of Public Guardian (OPG) = An LPA must be registered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) in order for it to be valid.

Must the donee(s) be present during the LPA nomination appointment?

No, donee(s) do not need to be present during the LPA nomination appointment. Donor can choose to come with or without the donee(s)

Why everyone should plan their LPA (not just the elderly)?

Because no one knows what can happen in the future.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli's Facebook post:

Without an LPA, a court order would have to be obtained in order to administer the affairs of a person who lacks mental capacity. Obtaining a court order can be a tedious and time-consuming process whereas if one has an LPA, the entrusted person(s) whom you have delegated could act on your behalf as soon as the situation arises.

The LPA Form 1 application fee for a standard LPA is S$75. However, the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) is waiving the fee for Singapore citizens until 31 March 2026, to encourage more Singaporeans to plan ahead and apply for a LPA.

The increasing number of applications shows that there is growing awareness by the years:

Source: Data.gov.sg & DBS

Resources:

• Ministry of Social and Family Development - The Lasting Power of Attorney (link)

• DBS Financial Planning - Why Lasting Power of Attorney is not just for the elderly (link)

• Singapore Legal Advice (link)

• Healthhub.sg (link)