A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most important personal planning documents you can put in place — yet most people only think about it after it is too late. If you lose mental capacity due to a stroke, accident, dementia, or any other condition, an LPA ensures that someone you trust is legally authorised to make decisions on your behalf. Without one, your family may face a costly and time-consuming court process just to manage your basic affairs.
What Is an LPA?
An LPA is a legal document governed by the Mental Capacity Act 2008 (Cap 177A) that allows a person — the Donor — to appoint one or more trusted individuals — the Donee(s) — to make decisions on the Donor's behalf in the event that the Donor loses mental capacity. The LPA is administered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
Critically, the LPA only takes effect when the Donor loses mental capacity. It is not active during the Donor's lifetime while the Donor retains the ability to make decisions. It is also automatically terminated upon the Donor's death, at which point a Will (if any) governs the distribution of the estate.
LPA vs Will: A Will only takes effect after death. An LPA takes effect during your lifetime if you lose mental capacity. The two documents serve different purposes — ideally, both should be in place.
What Powers Can a Donee Exercise?
An LPA may confer powers over two broad areas:
- Personal welfare — decisions about daily care, living arrangements, medical treatment, and healthcare.
- Property and affairs — managing bank accounts, paying bills, collecting income, dealing with investments, and handling property transactions.
The Donor may grant powers over one or both areas, and may impose conditions or restrictions on how the Donee exercises those powers.
Who Can Make an LPA?
To make a valid LPA, the Donor must be at least 21 years of age and must have mental capacity at the time of making the LPA. A Donee must also be at least 21 years of age. For property and financial matters, a licensed trust company may also be appointed as a Donee.
The Donor may appoint multiple Donees and specify whether they are to act jointly (together, requiring agreement on every decision) or jointly and severally (independently, where each Donee can act alone). A replacement Donee may also be named to step in if the primary Donee is unable to continue acting.
Form 1 vs Form 2
There are two forms of LPA available in Singapore:
- LPA Form 1 — A standard form covering a prescribed set of powers. Suitable for most individuals and can be completed without engaging a lawyer.
- LPA Form 2 — A customised form that confers tailored and specific powers beyond the standard Form 1 provisions. Form 2 must be drafted by a qualified lawyer and is appropriate where the Donor has more complex personal or financial circumstances.
Fees (As of May 2026)
| Applicant | Form 1 (OPG Fee) | Form 2 (OPG Fee) | Certificate Issuer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen | Free (from 1 April 2026) | S$30 (from 1 May 2026) | Separate — from S$24 (doctor) and above |
| Permanent Resident | S$30 (reduced from S$90, effective 1 May 2026) | S$30 (reduced from S$90, effective 1 May 2026) | Separate — from S$24 (doctor) and above |
| Foreigner | S$160 (reduced from S$230, effective 1 May 2026) | S$160 (reduced from S$230, effective 1 May 2026) | Separate — from S$24 (doctor) and above |
Source: MSF / Office of the Public Guardian, March 2026. OPG fees are payable to the government. Certificate Issuer fees are separate and paid directly to the certifying professional. No refund is given once the application is submitted to OPG.
The Certificate Issuer
Before an LPA can be registered, it must be certified by a Certificate Issuer — an accredited medical practitioner, lawyer, or registered psychiatrist who confirms that the Donor understands the nature and effect of the LPA and is not being unduly pressured into making it. Engaging a lawyer as Certificate Issuer provides an additional layer of legal assurance and is advisable for more complex LPAs.
Why You Should Make an LPA
- You choose who manages your affairs — not the Court.
- Your bank accounts and financial assets remain accessible to your Donee, avoiding the risk of funds being frozen.
- Your family is spared the cost and stress of applying to the Court for a Deputyship order, which can take months and incur significant legal fees.
- Your personal welfare and medical care decisions are made by someone you trust, not a stranger appointed by the Court.
- If your family depends on you financially, their needs can continue to be met without interruption.
What happens without an LPA? If you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place, your family must apply to the Family Justice Courts to be appointed as your Deputy under the Mental Capacity Act. This process is court-supervised, time-consuming, costly, and leaves you no say in who is appointed. An LPA avoids this entirely.
Who Should Make an LPA?
Everyone. Mental incapacity does not only affect the elderly — it can arise at any age through accidents, strokes, or sudden illness. As of February 2026, approximately 404,000 Singapore citizens have registered an LPA, representing roughly one in seven citizens. With Form 1 now free for Singapore citizens, there has never been a more accessible time to put this protection in place.
How K Prasad & Co Can Help
At K Prasad & Co, we assist clients in making and certifying Lasting Powers of Attorney. Whether you require a standard Form 1 LPA or a customised Form 2 LPA tailored to your specific circumstances, we can advise you on the appropriate powers to grant, act as your Certificate Issuer, and ensure the document is properly registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Contact Us- Mental Capacity Act 2008 (Cap 177A, 2010 Rev Ed)
- Mental Capacity Rules 2010
- Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), Ministry of Social and Family Development — LPA Fee Schedule (March 2026)
- MSF Press Release — Permanent waiver of LPA Form 1 application fee for Singapore Citizens, 5 March 2026
- MSF — Reduced fees for LPA Form 1 and Form 2 applications, effective 1 May 2026
This article is for general information only and does not constitute formal legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact K Prasad & Co at (+65) 8062 4651.