Lasting Power of Attorney
Safeguard your future by appointing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity. An LPA allows you to plan ahead, maintain control, and protect your interests.
What is an LPA?
Have you considered what would happen if you were unable to make decisions about your affairs due to a loss of mental capacity?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.
Open to individuals aged 21 and above, the LPA gives peace of mind that your personal welfare and finances will be managed according to your wishes—even if you’re unable to speak for yourself.
The person who creates the LPA is called the donor, while the trusted individual you appoint is the donee.
Who should I appoint as my donee ?
It’s important to appoint a donee who is not only trustworthy and dependable, but also capable of making decisions that align with your values and wishes.
Choosing the right LPA
Understanding the difference between LPA Form 1 and LPA Form 2 is key to selecting the option that best suits your needs.
LPA Form 1 is the more common and straightforward choice—suitable for most individuals, with general powers and basic limits for your chosen donee(s).
LPA Form 2, on the other hand, is designed for those with more complex needs. It allows for customised clauses and offers a more detailed and flexible structure.
For individuals looking for a simple solution, LPA Form 1 is the standard option. It provides general powers with basic restrictions for the appointed donee or donees.
LPA Form 2 is designed for those with more unique or complex needs. It allows you to grant customised powers, appoint more than two donees, and even name multiple replacement donees—ensuring smooth transitions if circumstances change.
Because of its detailed nature, Form 2 must be professionally drafted by a lawyer to align precisely with your intentions. It also gives donees the flexibility to disclaim their role by notifying the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), offering greater clarity and control in life’s unpredictable moments.
Why you need an LPA in Singapore
Making an LPA isn’t just about protection—it’s about ensuring your voice is heard, even when you no longer can speak for yourself.
Protect Your Interests
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you legally appoint someone you trust to act on your behalf—so your choices around healthcare and finances are honoured, even when you can’t speak for yourself.
Prevent Family Conflict
Without an LPA, family members may face disagreements about what decisions to make on your behalf. Having a designated attorney can help prevent disputes and provide clear guidance.
Quick Decisions
An LPA enables your donee to act swiftly on your behalf during critical moments, avoiding delays in treatment or financial decisions that could affect your well-being.
Reduce Legal Complications
Without LPA, your family may need to go through a lengthy process to gain deputeeship to act on your behalf, which can be both time-consuming and costly.
Tailored to Your Needs
With LPA Form 2, you can create a tailored approach that allows your donee to make decisions that align with your personal values and preferences.
Professional Donee
You have the option to appoint professional donees, which can be especially beneficial if you prefer expert guidance in managing your affairs.
Unlock Peace of Mind with an LPA
If you’re the sole breadwinner or have existing health concerns, setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most proactive things you can do. It also allows you to appoint more than one donee—offering flexibility in decision-making when it matters most.
Timing is crucial. A dementia diagnosis, for example, doesn’t immediately disqualify someone from creating an LPA. As long as they retain mental capacity, they can still take action early to protect their future.
Without an LPA, your loved ones may face a stressful and time-consuming court process to be appointed as deputies—just to manage your affairs. Spare them that burden.
Choose foresight and control. Set up your LPA today and ensure that your voice is heard, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself.
Let your loved ones focus on healing—not paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Lasting Power of Attorney in Singapore
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
An LPA is a legal document that allows anyone aged 21 and above (the ‘donor’) to appoint one or more trusted individuals (the ‘donee(s)’) to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity.
Donees can be authorised to act in two main areas: personal welfare, and property & financial matters.
What are the criterias one must qualify for in order to make an LPA?
To make an LPA, you must be at least 21 years old and have mental capacity. It must also be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to be legally valid.
Who should be the donee(s) and what powers do they possess?
A donee should be someone the donor fully trusts—reliable, responsible, and capable of acting in the donor’s best interest. The donee must be at least 21 years old at the time the LPA is signed.
Once the donor is certified by a registered medical practitioner to have lost mental capacity, the donee is empowered to make decisions on their behalf.
These decisions may relate to:
– Personal welfare – such as where the donor lives and how they are cared for
– Property and financial matters – including managing bank accounts and paying bills
Note: A donee cannot manage property and financial affairs if they are an undischarged bankrupt.
How about children with intellectual disabilities? Can an LPA be made for them?
A person can only make an LPA if they have mental capacity.
For children with intellectual disabilities who are unlikely to gain mental capacity by age 21, parents may apply to the Court to be appointed as deputies under the Mental Capacity Act. This allows them to make legal and welfare decisions on behalf of their child.
To ensure continuity, parents can also request for successor deputies to be appointed—trusted individuals who can take over the decision-making role if the parents are no longer able to do so.
Can a licensed trust company be a donee?
Under Para 5 of the Mental Capacity Regulation 2010, a licensed trust company can be appointed as a donee of a lasting power of attorney in respect of a donor’s property and affairs.
Can I revoke or terminate my LPA after it is registered?
Yes, you can at any time, revoke or terminate the LPA as long as you have the mental capacity.
What if I lose mental capacity without having made an LPA?
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place, your loved ones will need to apply to the Court under the Mental Capacity Act. The Court may either make specific decisions on your behalf or appoint someone to be your deputy who will make the decision(s) on your behalf.
This process can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful for your family—especially during an already difficult time. An LPA helps avoid this by ensuring someone you trust is already legally empowered to act for you.
What is the difference between a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and a Will?
A Will takes effect only upon the testator’s death, directing how assets are to be distributed. In contrast, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) takes effect while the donor is still alive but has lost mental capacity.
An LPA does not govern the distribution of assets after death—that remains the role of a Will. If there is no Will, distribution will follow Singapore’s intestacy laws.
What type of powers or restrictions would people typically customise in their LPA Form 2?
There are no “standard” powers or restrictions under an LPA—each donor’s wishes are personal and unique.
From our experience, some commonly stated preferences include:
– Restricting the sale of a specific property
– Stating a preference to be cared for at home or placed in a nursing facility
– Specific instructions for assets, such as selling a car or an investment property immediately
– Allowing gifts to be made for a loved one’s medical or daily living expenses
Each LPA can be customised to reflect your values, lifestyle, and intentions.
Can Muslims do an LPA?
The Fatwa Committee decided that the LPA is a form of planning which is permissible under Islamic law.
For further clarification/reference, please refer to the link below:
https://www.muis.gov.sg/officeofthemufti/Fatwa/English-Lasting-Power-of-Attorney
Estate Planning is more than just Documents
Let’s build a future that honors what matters most to you.