In case you are not aware, Singapore residents can now apply for Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) online through OPG Online (an online platform for transactions with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
What is Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) The LPA is a legal document which allows a person who is at least 21 years of age (‘Donor’), to voluntarily appoint one or more persons (‘Donee(s)’) to make decisions and act on his/her behalf if he/she loses mental capacity one day. A Donee can be appointed to act in the two broad areas of personal welfare and property & affairs matters.
If you don’t have an LPA and you lose mental capacity, your family member is not automatically given the right to make legal decisions on your behalf. As they have not been legally appointed to do so beforehand, they will have to apply to Court to be appointed as your deputy, before they are authorised to make decisions and act on your behalf:
- Make care arrangements
- Manage your bank accounts and properties
- Decide how best to use your funds for your day-to-day needs
Compared to making an LPA, the deputyship application process will not only take longer to complete, but will also cost more.
There are two types of LPA forms:
- LPA Form 1: For Donors who wish to grant Donee(s) general powers with basic restrictions.
- LPA Form 2: For Donors who wish to grant Donee(s) customised powers. The clauses in the LPA Form 2 have to be drafted by a lawyer.
Cost of making an LPA
OPG has announced that the fee waiver for the LPA Form 1 for Singapore Citizens will be extended until 31 March 2026, to encourage more Singaporeans to plan ahead and apply for an LPA. Note that no refund will be given once the LPA application is submitted to OPG regardless of the application outcome, including rejection. Applicants are still required to pay a professional fee to engage an LPA Certificate Issuer to witness and certify their LPA.
Visit the Office of the Public Guardian website for more information on the LPA.
