A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in Singapore lets you appoint one or more donees aged 21+ to make Personal Welfare and/or Property & Affairs decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) charges S$75 for Form 1 registration for Singapore Citizens (standard donee powers). LPA Form 2 (customised powers) must be drafted by a Singapore-admitted lawyer. The alternative — no LPA — is a Deputyship Order application costing S$5,000–S$15,000 and taking 6–12 months. Source: OPG (Ministry of Social and Family Development); Mental Capacity Act 2008.

From $75 • Government Subsidised

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Plan for the unexpected. Appoint trusted people to make healthcare and financial decisions for you if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself.

Create Your LPA

Self Protection

Ensure someone you trust handles your affairs if you become incapacitated.

Family Peace

Avoid family disputes about who makes decisions and what you would have wanted.

Legal Authority

Your appointed persons have legal power to act on your behalf immediately when needed.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people (called "donees") to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity - due to dementia, stroke, accident, or illness.

Unlike a will (which only takes effect after death), an LPA provides protection while you're still alive but unable to manage your own affairs. It must be made while you still have mental capacity - you cannot create one after losing capacity.

Why an LPA Matters

Without an LPA, if you lose mental capacity, your family will need to apply to the court to be appointed as your "deputy." This process typically costs $5,000-$15,000, takes 6-12 months, and requires annual reporting. An LPA costs a fraction and takes effect immediately when needed.

Two Types of Decisions

An LPA covers two categories of decisions. You can appoint different people for each, or the same person for both:

Personal Welfare

Decisions about your daily life and healthcare:

Where you live (nursing home, with family, etc.)
Day-to-day care and welfare
Medical treatment decisions
Who can visit you

Property & Affairs

Decisions about your finances and property:

Managing bank accounts
Paying bills and expenses
Buying or selling property
Managing investments

LPA Forms Explained

LPA Form 1 (Standard)

Most Common

The simplified standard form suitable for most people. Uses pre-set powers with no customisation. Faster to complete and cheaper.

Includes:

• Standard powers for both categories
• Basic restrictions (no gifts, no property sale without court order)
• Straightforward process

Cost:

• $75 registration (subsidised)
• $25 certificate issuer fee (if accredited)
• Or $200-500 via lawyer

LPA Form 2 (Customised)

Complex Needs

For those who need customised powers, additional restrictions, or specific conditions. More flexible but more complex.

Use When:

• You want to grant specific limited powers
• You need additional restrictions
• Complex financial situations
• Special instructions for donees

Cost:

• $75 registration (subsidised)
• Lawyer drafting: $300-800
• More complex = higher cost

The LPA Process

Choose Your Donees

Select one or more trusted individuals aged 21+. They cannot be bankrupt (for Property & Affairs) or your paid care provider (for Personal Welfare).

Complete the Form

Fill out LPA Form 1 (online at opg.gov.sg) or have a lawyer prepare Form 2. Include donee details and your choices.

Certificate Issuer Verification

A Certificate Issuer (lawyer, doctor, or accredited person) must verify you understand the LPA and are making it voluntarily. They certify your mental capacity.

Registration with OPG

Submit your LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian. Registration takes 2-4 weeks. Your LPA is only valid once registered.

LPA Takes Effect When Needed

Your LPA only activates if you lose mental capacity. Until then, you retain full control. If you never lose capacity, the LPA is never used.

Choosing Your Donees

Who to Choose

Select people who are trustworthy, understand your values, are available when needed, and can handle the responsibility. Common choices include spouse, adult children, siblings, or trusted friends.

Multiple Donees

You can appoint more than one donee to act jointly (all must agree), jointly and severally (can act independently), or as replacements (backup if first choice can't serve).

Different Donees for Different Powers

You might appoint your spouse for Personal Welfare (they know your care preferences) but an adult child with financial expertise for Property & Affairs.

Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost	Notes
OPG Registration Fee	$75	Government subsidised (normally $200)
Accredited Certificate Issuer	$25	For Form 1 only; list on OPG website
Lawyer (Form 1)	$200 - $400	If using lawyer instead of accredited CI
Lawyer (Form 2)	$300 - $800	Includes drafting and certification
Will + LPA Bundle	$500 - $1,500	Discounted when done together

LPA vs Will: Different Documents, Different Purposes

Feature	LPA	Will
Takes effect	During your lifetime (if incapacitated)	After your death
Purpose	Decision-making when you can't	Asset distribution after death
Covers	Healthcare + finances while alive	Your estate after death
Do you need both?	Yes - they serve different purposes at different times

Important: Make Your LPA Now

You can only create an LPA while you have mental capacity. Once you've lost capacity (from dementia, stroke, etc.), it's too late. Don't wait until there's a health scare - the right time to make an LPA is when you're healthy and thinking clearly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an LPA cost in Singapore?

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) registration fee is S$75 for Singapore Citizens making LPA Form 1 (standard donee powers). Add the Certificate Issuer fee — typically S$25 for an accredited general practitioner doctor, or S$50–S$300 for a Singapore-admitted lawyer. LPA Form 2 (customised powers, lawyer-drafted) typically runs S$200–S$500 in total.

What is the difference between LPA Form 1 and LPA Form 2?

LPA Form 1 grants standard, pre-set donee powers in either or both of two categories — Personal Welfare and Property & Affairs. It's the most common form, fixed-scope, and the OPG fee is S$75 for Singapore Citizens. LPA Form 2 allows you to customise the powers, add restrictions, or specify conditions — but it must be drafted by a Singapore-admitted lawyer, costing more.

Who can I appoint as my LPA donee in Singapore?

Your donee must be at least 21 years old. For the Property & Affairs category, a donee cannot be an undischarged bankrupt. For Personal Welfare, the donee cannot be the paid care provider for the donor. You can appoint one donee, multiple donees acting jointly, multiple donees acting jointly and severally, or a primary donee with replacement donees.

When does an LPA take effect?

An LPA takes effect only when the donor loses mental capacity, as certified by two registered medical practitioners. It does NOT take effect simply on registration. The donor must have mental capacity at the time the LPA is made — you cannot create an LPA after losing capacity.

What happens if I lose mental capacity without an LPA?

Family members must apply to the Family Justice Courts for a Deputyship Order under the Mental Capacity Act 2008. This process typically costs S$5,000–S$15,000, takes 6–12 months, and requires annual reporting to OPG. An LPA avoids all of this — it takes effect immediately when needed and costs a fraction.

How long does it take to register an LPA?

After certification by the Certificate Issuer, submission to OPG typically takes 3–6 weeks for processing. The LPA is only legally valid once registered by OPG.

Can I cancel or change my LPA?

Yes — while you still have mental capacity, you can revoke your LPA by submitting a Deed of Revocation to OPG. You can also make a new LPA which supersedes the old one. After losing mental capacity, an LPA can only be cancelled by court order.

Do I need a lawyer to make an LPA?

For LPA Form 1 (standard powers), no — you can complete it yourself via the OPG online portal, and certification can be done by an accredited general practitioner doctor (typically S$25). For LPA Form 2 (customised powers), yes — a Singapore-admitted lawyer must draft it.

Sources cited on this page

Office of the Public Guardian (OPG, MSF) — LPA fees, Form 1 and Form 2 process, donee selection rules
Mental Capacity Act 2008 (Cap. 177A) — statutory basis for LPA and Deputyship
Family Justice Courts — Deputyship Order process when no LPA exists
CPF Board — note: an LPA does NOT govern CPF moneys (use CPF nomination)
Full reference list: /sources

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