Legacy planning checklist: Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), CPF nomination and more

Legacy planning is the process of organising your personal and financial affairs for scenarios like death or mental incapacity, and it is one of the most meaningful, and most overlooked, steps in retirement preparation. It ensures your assets reach the right people, your medical wishes are respected, and your loved ones are spared difficult decisions at an already difficult time.

In Singapore, a complete legacy plan typically involves five legal tools: a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), a will, a CPF nomination, a trust, and an advance care plan (ACP). Each addresses a different scenario, and gaps in any one of them can have real financial, legal, and emotional consequences for the people you leave behind.

This guide covers all five, with particular focus on the LPA, which has recently become more accessible: from 1 April 2026, LPA Form 1 applications are permanently free for all Singapore citizens.

What does legacy planning involve in Singapore?

Legacy planning in Singapore refers to the process of organising your personal and financial affairs to handle scenarios such as death or mental incapacity. A well-structured plan ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes, your healthcare preferences are documented, and your loved ones are not burdened with avoidable decisions or delays.

Without proper planning, your hard-earned assets could be distributed against your intended wishes or face unnecessary delays. A lack of clear directives can also burden loved ones with difficult decisions during an already emotional time. Proper legacy planning reduces both the financial and emotional toll.

The 5 elements of a legacy plan

A comprehensive legacy plan in Singapore should address all five of the following, which we will explain in greater detail later in the article:

1. Will: A legal document specifying how your assets and possessions should be distributed after your death. You can write how your assets are to be distributed to the people you choose, who would be your children’s legal guardian, and who would carry out your will.
2. Trust: Legally transfers assets to a trustee who manages them for beneficiaries according to rules you (the settlor) set out. 
3. CPF nomination: CPF savings are not covered by your will. You will need a CPF nomination to designate nominees to receive your CPF savings upon your passing, distributed according to stated proportions. Without a valid nomination, your savings may be distributed under intestacy laws, potentially to unintended parties.
4. Advance care plan (ACP): Documents your preferred medical treatment and care in the event of future incapacity.
5. Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Appoints a trusted person (your donee) to make decisions on your behalf (covering personal welfare and property matters) if you lose mental capacity.

How does a will work in Singapore, and what does it not cover?

A will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for distributing your assets and belongings after you pass away. It ensures your estate is handled according to your preferences rather than Singapore's intestacy laws, and lets you name an executor to manage the process. If you have minor children, a will is also the appropriate instrument for appointing legal guardians.

Creating a will in Singapore is relatively straightforward: you can draft one yourself or engage a lawyer. The core requirements are that you are at least 21 years old, of sound mind, and that the will is signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Note that marriage automatically revokes an existing will, so updating it after major life events is essential.

Will a will cover your CPF savings?

No. CPF savings are not covered by a will and cannot be distributed through one. According to CPF Board, CPF monies operate under a separate statutory framework and must be directed through a CPF nomination. 

Without one, your savings go to the Public Trustee's Office, which can take up to six months and incur additional fees. A will and a CPF nomination are complementary instruments; both are needed for a complete plan.

How does a trust work in legacy planning?

A trust is a legal arrangement where you (the settlor) transfer assets to a trustee, who manages them for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries according to rules you set out. As an estate planning tool, trusts are particularly useful for protecting inheritances, for instance shielding a beneficiary's inheritance from divorce proceedings or ensuring assets are only accessible at a certain age.

Common trust structures used in Singapore include discretionary trusts, where the trustee has flexibility over how to distribute income and assets; fixed trusts, where the split is pre-determined with no trustee discretion; and life interest trusts, where final beneficiaries only receive assets after the death of a life tenant, typically a surviving spouse. The right structure depends on the complexity of your estate and what you are trying to achieve.

What is a CPF nomination?

Making a CPF nomination allows you to specify who will receive your CPF savings and the proportion each nominee gets upon your passing. Without a valid nomination, your savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee's Office for distribution under intestacy laws. This process can take up to six months and incur administrative fees, and the outcome may not reflect your wishes.

The good news is that you can make your CPF nomination online for free using Singpass, from home. You can appoint up to 15 nominees and will need two witnesses aged 21 and above, also on Singpass, who are not themselves nominees. If witnesses aren't readily available, a ServiceSG Centre can provide them.

A CPF nomination covers your Ordinary, Special, MediSave, and Retirement Account savings, as well as any remaining CPF LIFE premium balance. It does not, however, cover properties purchased with CPF, Dependants' Protection Scheme payouts, or CPF Investment Scheme holdings. These are dealt with separately under a will or trust.

Review and update your nomination after any major life event, as marriage automatically revokes an existing CPF nomination.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in Singapore?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to voluntarily appoint one or more trusted individuals, called donees, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity in the future. An LPA covers two areas: personal welfare (decisions about your daily care, living arrangements, and medical treatment) and property and affairs (managing your bank accounts, investments, and other assets).

Is the LPA free in Singapore?

From 1 April 2026, LPA Form 1 applications are permanently free for all Singapore citizens. This removes the previous $70 government application fee. 

There are two types of LPA in Singapore:

1. LPA Form 1 grants your donee(s) general powers with basic restrictions. It is the most commonly used option, accounting for 98% of all LPA applications made by Singapore citizens. You can complete Form 1 online via the OPG Online (OPGO) portal using Singpass.
2. LPA Form 2 grants customised powers beyond the standard provisions. The clauses must be drafted by a qualified Singapore lawyer. This form is suited to those with more complex estate or care requirements.

For most Singaporeans, Form 1 is sufficient.

Note that while the application fee is waived for citizens, a separate certification fee remains payable to a Certificate Issuer (CI), an accredited doctor, lawyer, or registered psychiatrist, who witnesses and certifies your LPA. 

According to MSF data from June 2025, fees charged by the 20 most visited Certificate Issuers are as following:

Why should you make an LPA?

Without an LPA, your loved ones have no automatic legal right to manage your affairs if you lose mental agency, even with the best intentions. They may face lengthy and costly court proceedings to obtain deputyship before they can access your bank accounts, manage your property, or make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

An LPA eliminates this uncertainty. It gives a trusted person the legal authority to act for you, and gives your family clarity and peace of mind during an already difficult time. 

How do you make an LPA in Singapore?

Making an LPA in Singapore is a three-step process, completed online via the OPG Online (OPGO) portal:

1. Choose your donee(s). Select one or two trusted individuals aged 21 or above (typically a family member) to act on your behalf. You may also appoint a Replacement Donee. Decide whether to grant them powers over personal welfare, property and affairs, or both.
2. Draft your LPA online. Log in to OPGO via Singpass to complete the application. Your donee(s) will also need to log in to Singpass to review and accept their appointment.
3. Get your LPA certified. Visit a Certificate Issuer, an accredited doctor, lawyer, or registered psychiatrist, to have your LPA witnessed and certified. Bring your mobile phone (with Singpass installed) for digital signing. You can book a CI appointment online via the Health Appointment System.

Once registered, you and your donee(s) will be notified via SMS or email. Review your LPA regularly, especially after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

What is advance care planning (ACP) in Singapore?

Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of documenting your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you become unable to communicate them. A key step is appointing a Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS), a trusted person who will convey your wishes to medical professionals if you are incapacitated. 

Your preferences are then recorded formally and kept on the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), so healthcare providers can access them when needed. 

Unlike a will or LPA, an ACP is not a legally binding document, but it carries significant weight in clinical decision-making and ensures your values are respected even when you cannot speak for yourself.

Start your legacy plan early

The right time to make an LPA, a CPF nomination, and a will is not when circumstances force you to; it is now, while you have full mental agency and the luxury of considered decisions.

In practical terms, the effort required is modest. Making a CPF nomination online takes minutes. Completing an LPA via OPGO and visiting a Certificate Issuer can be done in an afternoon. The LPA form has also been made free for Singapore citizens. A will can be drafted with a lawyer or, for simpler estates, independently.

Legacy planning does not exist in isolation. It sits alongside your broader retirement strategy: how you decumulate your assets, how you structure your CPF withdrawals, and how you build a portfolio to sustain you through retirement. 

If you would like guidance on aligning your wealth with your legacy plan, you may consider speaking with an Endowus advisor.

Frequently asked questions

Is making an LPA in Singapore free?

From 1 April 2026, LPA Form 1 applications are permanently free for Singapore citizens. A separate certification fee, paid to a Certificate Issuer, still applies. Most accredited doctors charge between $24 and $60.

What is the difference between LPA Form 1 and Form 2?

LPA Form 1 grants general powers to your donee and accounts for 98% of applications. LPA Form 2 allows for customised powers and must be drafted by a qualified lawyer, and is suited to more complex estate situations.

Can foreigners or PRs make an LPA in Singapore?

Yes. Permanent residents pay $90 for the application fee; foreigners pay $230. All applicants must also pay a separate certification fee to a Certificate Issuer, regardless of citizenship.

Does an LPA cover financial decisions?

Yes. Under the property and affairs scope of an LPA, your donee can manage your bank accounts, investments, and property on your behalf. You can choose to grant powers over personal welfare, property and affairs, or both.

What happens if you lose mental capacity without an LPA?

Your family would need to apply to the court to be appointed as a deputy, a process that can be lengthy and costly. An LPA avoids this by establishing legal authority in advance, giving your loved ones immediate clarity.