A practising Lawyer is a professional empowered to certify the LPA. It is compulsory for LPA to be signed & certified by a professional person.

You get to choose a trusted person to act for you in your personal welfare, healthcare decisions, property and financial decisions, in case you lose your mental capacity. Note : If you do not have a LPA and lose mental capacity, you & your loved ones are required to apply to Court and incur much higher legal costs.

1. WISE people plan in advance for a time if/when they lose mental capacity. They expect the best, but prepare for the worst. The LPA takes effect ONLY when a person lose mental capacity.

2. WISE people want to be in control and choose only persons they trust, persons who will act in their best interests.

3. WISE people know that accidents can happen anytime to anyone (resulting in loss of mental capacity) and mental decline occurs with aging.
Medical Statistics (2013): 28,000 Singaporeans aged 60 and above have dementia, and projected to hit 80,000 by 2030. At age 65 years, 1 in 20 may have dementia. At age 75 years, 1 in 10 may have dementia.

4. WISE people hate uncertainty, however they manage uncertainty as best they can.
Doing a LPA ensures you are planning for your health and physical needs, and you don’t suffer ill-treatment, neglect, pain and suffering, financial abuse.

5. WISE people know they need BOTH a WILL and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
The Really Smart people plan for the present, the future and when they are no longer around. Unlike a Will which comes into effect only AFTER a person dies, the LPA takes effect when a person is STILL ALIVE but have lost mental capacity.

It’s really WISE to sign your Lasting Power of Attorney, when healthy.