Mental Capacity Act

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for each year from March 2010 to October 2013, how many applications for a lasting power of attorney are made under the Mental Capacity Act; (b) what is the demographic profile of the applicants; and (c) what is the average cost of an application for an applicant who does not qualify for financial assistance under means testing.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The number of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) applications per year is as follows:

Close to 60% of the donors 17 are female. The age profile of the donors is as follows:

The application fee to register an LPA is $50 18 for the standard version where donors can grant general powers to their donees with basic restrictions. Those who wish to have a customised version drafted by a lawyer with specific powers pay a higher fee of $200. There are additional costs involved in having the LPA witnessed and certified by a certificate issuer. The fees charged by these professionals (accredited medical practitioner, practising lawyer or psychiatrist) vary.

On a case-by-case basis, application fees can be waived for those who cannot afford the fees.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 37:

17 A donor is the person who makes the LPA to appoint one or more proxy decision makers (donees) to make decisions for him in the event that the donor loses mental capacity. The application to register the LPA can be made by the donor or the donee(s).

18 Singaporeans and permanent residents pay $50 while non-citizens pay $200 for the application fee to register Form 1.