Slow take-up for Lasting Power of Attorney Scheme

This post came out from The Straits Times (4 December 2016)

Since the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) scheme started in 2010, only 1 per cent of the adult resident population in Singapore, or about 35,000 people, have applied for an LPA. Retiree Ong Teck Wan, who was keen on getting an LPA done, said in a letter to The Straits Times Forum that he was put off from doing so after his family doctor told him it would cost $120. "I feel it's important to do it, but I also feel it's very pricey," Mr Ong, 65, said.

The Sunday Times understands that, on average, certificate issuers charge between $120 and $150 for their services. However, there are hundreds of options available and prices tend to vary widely. The Office of the Public Guardian said it does not have rules on how much certificate issuers should charge. A spokesman for the office said: "The identified certificate issuers can charge a professional fee for this service, as the role involves various responsibilities and fees may differ between certificate issuers, depending on complexity of the case for assessment." Psychiatrists, practising lawyers and accredited doctors can all serve as LPA certificate issuers.

There are two versions of the LPA.

LPA Form 1 can be used for standard cases where the appointed person has almost full power over the donor's personal welfare and property affairs. LPA Form 2 needs to be drafted by a lawyer and allows applicants to create specific powers to be granted to the appointed person.

Mr Goh Kok Yeow, a partner at law firm De Souza Lim & Goh, said if a client requests that two appointed persons act jointly on his behalf, he must make sure the client understands the implications. "If one of them dies or becomes a bankrupt, for instance, the document becomes invalid," he said. Mr Goh typically charges clients a few hundred dollars, depending on factors such as whether the person requires his help to fill in the form, and how long the consultation takes."I can spend two hours with a client explaining these things," he said.

At LifePoint, a centre set up by voluntary welfare organisation Sheng Hong Welfare Services, monthly talks are organised to help seniors better understand the scheme. The centre works with lawyers to offer subsidised services, meaning the elderly can get their LPA forms signed and certified for $60. Sheng Hong manager Liau Yi Fang said: "A lot of elderly folk do not know how to read English - the language used for such official documents - so they come to us and we explain it to them."

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big