Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in Singapore: Complete Guide

What happens if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself? A serious accident, a stroke, or the onset of dementia can strip away your capacity to manage your own finances, healthcare, and daily life. In Singapore, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is the legal tool that ensures someone you trust can step in.

Yet only about 8% of Singapore residents aged 21 and above have made an LPA. That means the vast majority of adults have no plan in place — and if something goes wrong, their families face an expensive, stressful court process.

What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

An LPA is a legal document governed by the Mental Capacity Act (Cap 177A) that allows you (the "donor") to appoint one or more trusted persons (the "donees") to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.

It is administered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and only takes effect when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

Two Types of Authority

Type	What It Covers	Examples
Personal Welfare	Healthcare, daily care, living arrangements	Deciding on medical treatment, choosing a care home, daily routine
Property & Affairs	Financial and legal matters	Managing bank accounts, paying bills, selling property, handling investments

You can grant one or both types to your donee, and you can appoint different donees for different areas.

LPA Form 1 vs Form 2

Feature	Form 1	Form 2
Powers granted	Standard, basic powers	Customized with specific restrictions or conditions
Complexity	Simple — can be done without a lawyer	Requires a lawyer to draft
Cost	Form fee waived from April 2026	Varies (lawyer fees + registration)
Best for	Most people	Those with complex estates or specific wishes

Form 1 covers the vast majority of situations and is the recommended starting point for most Singaporeans.

Requirements

Before you make an LPA, make sure you meet these criteria:

• Donor must be aged 21 or above
• Donor must be mentally capable at the time of making the LPA
• Donee must be aged 21 or above
• Donee must not be an undischarged bankrupt (for property and affairs)
• A certificate issuer must certify the LPA — this must be an accredited medical practitioner, lawyer, or psychiatrist who confirms that the donor understands the LPA

The Registration Process

Making an LPA is not enough — it must be registered with the OPG before it can be used.

1. Complete the LPA form (Form 1 or Form 2)
2. Get certification from a certificate issuer
3. Submit to OPG for registration
4. Registration fee: currently S$75
5. Processing time: 2–4 weeks

The LPA only becomes active when you lose mental capacity, as assessed by a medical professional.

What Happens Without an LPA?

This is where it gets costly. Without an LPA, your family must apply to the Family Justice Courts to be appointed as your deputy.

Factor	With LPA	Without LPA (Court Deputy)
Cost	S$75 registration	S$5,000–$10,000+ in legal fees
Time	Already in place	3–6 months court process
Choice	You choose your donee	Court decides who manages your affairs
Stress	Minimal for family	Significant emotional and administrative burden

The court process is not only expensive — it also adds months of uncertainty during an already difficult time for your family.

Revoking an LPA

You can revoke your LPA at any time while you still have mental capacity. This might be relevant if:

• Your relationship with your donee changes
• You want to appoint a different donee
• Your circumstances or wishes change

Simply submit a revocation to the OPG.

Securely Sharing Your LPA Details

Making an LPA is only half the battle. Your family members and donees need to know:

• That an LPA exists
• Who the donees are
• Where the original document is stored
• Any specific wishes or instructions

This is sensitive legal information that you would not want exposed publicly. Services like LOCK.PUB let you create a password-protected memo containing all your LPA details — donee names, document location, OPG registration number, and any personal instructions. Share the link and password with your trusted family members through iMessage or Messenger, and they can access the information when needed.

Steps to Take Today

1. Decide on your donee(s) — choose someone you trust completely
2. Book an appointment with a certificate issuer
3. Complete LPA Form 1 (or Form 2 if you have specific requirements)
4. Register with OPG (S$75, form fee waived from April 2026)
5. Store your LPA details securely — use a password-protected memo on LOCK.PUB to share donee information and document location with family
6. Review periodically — update your LPA if your circumstances change

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appoint more than one donee? Yes. You can appoint multiple donees to act jointly, jointly and severally, or assign different types of authority to different donees.

Does an LPA cover my CPF savings? An LPA covering property and affairs can include CPF matters, but specific CPF nomination is a separate process.

Can a foreigner make an LPA in Singapore? Yes, as long as they are aged 21+ and have mental capacity. The LPA is governed by Singapore law.

What if my donee refuses to act? You can appoint a replacement donee in your LPA, or the court can appoint a deputy if no replacement is named.

Do Not Wait

The whole point of an LPA is that you make it when you do not need it — because by the time you need it, it is too late. With Form 1 fees being waived from April 2026, there has never been a more affordable time to protect your future.

Start the process today. Your family will thank you.