Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) — a plain-English guide

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows a person (the "donor") to appoint one or more trusted people (the "donees") to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity.

Why is the LPA important?

Without an LPA, if your parent develops dementia or suffers a stroke that impairs their mental capacity, no one — not even a spouse or adult child — has the legal authority to manage their finances, bank accounts, property, or personal welfare decisions. You would need to apply to Court for a Deputyship Order, which is expensive and time-consuming.

What can an LPA donee do?

Personal welfare decisions: - Where your parent lives - Day-to-day care decisions - Medical treatment consent (subject to limits)

Property and financial decisions: - Managing bank accounts - Paying bills and rent - Selling property (if authorised)

How to create an LPA in Singapore

1. 1.Download Form 1 (most individuals) or Form 2 (more complex provisions) from the Office of the Public Guardian website
2. 2.Your parent completes the form — they must still have mental capacity at this point
3. 3.A Certificate Issuer (a lawyer, psychiatrist, or accredited doctor) must certify that your parent understands what they are signing
4. 4.File the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
5. 5.Registration takes approximately 3 weeks

Cost: SGD 75 for Form 1 (partial subsidy available for Singaporeans under the LPA-CI Subsidy Scheme)

Find an LPA lawyer

Look for elder law specialists in the REFRAME directory, or search the Law Society of Singapore's FindLaw directory.