In Singapore, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more persons (known as “donees”) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity in the future. This can be due to an accident, illness, or dementia.
An LPA can be used to make decisions about your:
- Personal welfare (e.g., where you live, what you eat, what medical treatment you receive)
- Property and finances (e.g., managing your bank accounts, selling your house)
- Healthcare (e.g., consenting to medical procedures, making end-of-life decisions)
An LPA is important because it ensures that your wishes will be respected even if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Without an LPA, your family or friends may have to go to court to get permission to make decisions on your behalf, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.
Any person who is 21 years old or above and has mental capacity can make an LPA. You can appoint up to two donees, who can be family members, friends, or professionals.
There are two types of LPA:
- General LPA: This type of LPA gives your donees broad powers to make decisions on your behalf in all areas of your life.
- Specific LPA: This type of LPA allows you to specify the areas in which your donees can make decisions on your behalf. For example, you could create a specific LPA that only gives your donees the power to make decisions about your finances.
To make an LPA, you will need to:
- Choose your donees. The people you choose as your donees should be trustworthy and capable of making decisions on your behalf.
- Fill out the LPA form. The LPA form is available from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). You can also get help from a lawyer to fill out the form.
- Sign the LPA in front of two witnesses. The witnesses must be over 21 years old and have known you for at least two years.
- Register the LPA with the OPG. Once you have signed the LPA, you will need to register it with the OPG. The OPG will charge a registration fee of S$100.
The costs of making an LPA can vary depending on whether you use a lawyer. If you use a lawyer, you can expect to pay between S$500 and S$1,000. If you do not use a lawyer, you will only need to pay the OPG registration fee of S$100.
An LPA is an important legal document that can help you to ensure that your wishes will be respected even if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. If you are concerned about losing mental capacity in the future, it is a good idea to make an LPA today.
FAQs
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What happens if I lose mental capacity without an LPA?
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, your family or friends may have to go to court to get permission to make decisions on your behalf. This can be a costly and time-consuming process. -
Can I change my mind about my donees after I have made an LPA?
Yes, you can change your mind about your donees at any time. To do this, you will need to make a new LPA. -
What happens if my donee becomes unable to act?
If your donee becomes unable to act, you can appoint a replacement donee. To do this, you will need to make a new LPA.
Resources
Keywords
- Lasting Power of Attorney
- LPA
- Mental capacity
- Decision-making
- Personal welfare
- Property and finances
- Healthcare
