In Singapore, the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows individuals to appoint one or more persons to make decisions on their behalf in the event they become mentally incapacitated. This document ensures that their affairs are managed in accordance with their wishes, even if they are no longer capable of making decisions on their own. The individual must make an appointment with any LPA certificate issuer for assessment.
LPA – How to Start?
To create an LPA, individuals must complete the LPA Form 1, which is available on the website of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The form requires individuals to appoint one or more donees, who are individuals they trust to make decisions on their behalf. The donees must be at least 21 years old and not have been declared bankrupt or convicted of an offence related to fraud or dishonesty.
The LPA Form 1 also requires individuals to specify the types of decisions their donees will be authorized to make. These decisions may include matters related to personal welfare, such as healthcare and living arrangements, as well as financial matters, such as managing assets and paying bills. Individuals may choose to specify certain limitations or conditions on their donees’ powers, such as requiring them to obtain medical opinions before making decisions related to healthcare.
Once the LPA Form 1 is completed, it must be signed digitally using Singpass by the appointed donee(s). The donor should then make an appointment with an OPG-approved LPA certificate issuer. The certificate issuer will check that the LPA is properly executed and that the individual creating the LPA understands its implications.
At Eiddwen Family Medicine Clinic, both doctors are certified to issue LPA certificates. This means that individuals can make an appointment with either doctor to have their LPA certified.
The LPA is an important document that ensures that an individual’s affairs are managed according to their wishes if they become mentally incapacitated. It provides peace of mind to individuals and their loved ones and helps to prevent disputes and conflicts.