Addy works in a hospice setting and came across many cases where LPA was not appointed for patients who has lost their mental capacity. The downsides are numerous but they boil down to 2 essential parts.
The first about personal care but this aspect matters lesser as family members are generally able to make such decisions for you. This would apply more when you do not have family members or would like a close friend to make such decisions for you.
The second is about personal assets. Even family members have little control over your assets if you have lost your mental capacity. There are horror stories of family members having great difficulty to utilize the affected's CPF to pay for medical bills or sale of assets to do the same. This is the hassle you would have to leave behind for your loved ones.
Addy and I are thinking to appoint designate our LPAs soon, just in case. Seems like we can appoint up to 5 people.
Generally, the steps to do so are:
1. Complete the forms from the Office of the Public Guardian
2. Visit a doctor, lawyer or psychiatrist with the necessary documents for certification issuance (essentially to indicate that you are sane and not under duress)
3. Notify your appointed members
4. Fill up the LPA form
5. Book an appointment and submit the application at the Office of the Public Guardian.
Cost varies depending on who you see to issue the certificate and how detailed you allocate the powers to your different appointed members. You can refer to this page for the relevant details.
Some may debate the necessity of this given that we should place our trust in God. But similar to insurance, what you are doing is planning for the benefit of your loved ones.
The first about personal care but this aspect matters lesser as family members are generally able to make such decisions for you. This would apply more when you do not have family members or would like a close friend to make such decisions for you.
The second is about personal assets. Even family members have little control over your assets if you have lost your mental capacity. There are horror stories of family members having great difficulty to utilize the affected's CPF to pay for medical bills or sale of assets to do the same. This is the hassle you would have to leave behind for your loved ones.
Addy and I are thinking to appoint designate our LPAs soon, just in case. Seems like we can appoint up to 5 people.
Generally, the steps to do so are:
1. Complete the forms from the Office of the Public Guardian
2. Visit a doctor, lawyer or psychiatrist with the necessary documents for certification issuance (essentially to indicate that you are sane and not under duress)
3. Notify your appointed members
4. Fill up the LPA form
5. Book an appointment and submit the application at the Office of the Public Guardian.
Cost varies depending on who you see to issue the certificate and how detailed you allocate the powers to your different appointed members. You can refer to this page for the relevant details.
Some may debate the necessity of this given that we should place our trust in God. But similar to insurance, what you are doing is planning for the benefit of your loved ones.
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