When Madam S Amutha, 62, drafted her will in 2021, she thought her affairs were in order.
The single mother, who works in healthcare, wanted to ensure that her two children – a daughter, 34 and a son, 29 – would not face any complications should anything unfortunate happen to her.
“I figured it was a done deal, and I didn’t have to worry about it,” she says. The will, which she drafted with the help of her lawyer friend, outlined how her assets would be divided among her children after her death. She divorced nine years ago.
Madam Amutha had also made a Central Provident Fund nomination nine years ago, which states how her savings will be distributed when she dies.
But in 2022, she realised her assumptions were misguided – she neglected making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Madam Amutha, who is a long-time volunteer at the Sri Sivan Temple, in Geylang, learnt about the LPA from a fellow volunteer.
The legal document lets you appoint a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf if you lose your mental capacity, such as from medical conditions like dementia, or an accident. Unlike a will, an LPA takes effect while a person is alive.
“I thought (an LPA) was only for people above 70, or something like that. I didn’t know what’s the use of it,” Madam Amutha admits.
“She (the fellow volunteer) told me it’s good to do it. Better to be prepared, with all your requests in black and white.”
Legacy made easy
Was the process tedious? No, says Madam Amutha. She completed her LPA application online within 15 minutes, via the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal (go.gov.sg/planlegacytoday).
Launched in January 2020 by the Ministry of Health and Public Service Division, it integrates and streamlines legacy planning services across multiple government agencies.
A temple volunteer, who is a lawyer, then helped to certify the LPA for free. An LPA must be certified by a medical doctor accredited by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), a registered psychiatrist, or a practising lawyer in Singapore. Their professional fees, which are not determined by the OPG, range from $25 to $500.
There are also non-profit organisations that offer free certification services to those who require financial assistance. These include Potter’s Place Community Services Society, and Mount Alvernia Outreach Medical Clinic at the Enabling Village.
“I thought it was going to be a hassle with a long process, high fees and all that,” she says. “But it was quite simple, as I just had to provide some details and answer a few questions.”