Overview
Why should I make a LPA
A family member is not automatically given the right to make legal decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity. This can hinder their ability to care for you.
Through making a LPA, your Donee can help you make decisions on your behalf in the event you lose mental capacity.
First Steps
How to make a LPA
To prepare an LPA (Form 1) application online, one will need a Singpass account and the details of their Donee or Donees:
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full name
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NRIC or FIN number
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local mobile number
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email address (optional)
The Donee(s) will be notified via SMS, and must accept or reject their appointment by logging in to the Office of the Public Guardian Online (OPGO) with their Singpass.
Certifying the LPA
Once all the Donees have accepted their appointment, the LPA will need to be certified by a certificate issuer.
The LPA certificate issuer can be:
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a medical professional accredited by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
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a registered psychiatrist
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a practising lawyer (excluding lawyers registered under section 36E of the Legal Profession Act 1966)
Ensure that the chosen certificate issuer can certify the LPA online. The Donor will need his Singpass app to digitally sign the LPA during certification. After the LPA has been certified, the certificate issuer will submit the LPA application to Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) on your behalf via OPGO.
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The LPA will only be valid after it has been registered with OPG. The Donor will be notified when this happens. This usually takes about 4 weeks after OPG receives the application, including the 3-week mandatory waiting period. Once registered, both the Donor and/or the Donee(s) can view the LPA on OPGO.
Final Notes:
In most cases, one can make a LPA by completing an application online known as the LPA Form 1. However, one may need to further consult a lawyer to complete LPA Form 2 apart from getting certified by a certificate issuer should they wish to:
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appoint more than 2 Donees
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appoint more than 1 replacement Donee
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grant your Donee or Donees specific and customised powers
It is recommended that a LPA is done in contemplation of an event that one loses their mental capacity, at that point can be an overwhelming and emotionally difficult task for the family members to not be hindered by bureaucracy due to the lack of LPA . If you require further assistance, you may enquire our services to get in touch with a law firm. The law firms will strives to provide a a professional and compassionate service to clients who intents to make a LPA, and require legal assistance with inter alia, advises, appointments, and certification in relation to a LPA.
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