*Uncle loses mental capacity after stroke, wife faces lengthy and costly process to sell house*
Translated by Doubao app with minor editing
Report by Feng Kailin
Shin Min Daily News
2025-09-02
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An uncle suffered a stroke and lost his mental capacity. Because he had not made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), his wife had to go through legal procedures to handle the sale of their flat, which was not only time-consuming but also costly. Case managers from community health institutions are urging people to do estate planning as a precaution.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development yesterday afternoon held an event to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
The OPG was established in 2010, together with the introduction of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This legal document allows individuals aged 21 and above to appoint a proxy in advance. If they later lose mental capacity due to unforeseen circumstances, the proxy can handle important matters such as medical expenses, bank accounts, and property transactions.
Sammy Leong Chee Weng (69), a case manager at SATA CommHealth, specializes in helping clients apply for an LPA.
In an interview, he recalled that late last year, a couple had moved in with their children and planned to sell their five-room HDB flat. Unexpectedly, during the process, the husband suffered a stroke, was bedridden, and lost his mental capacity.
Since the husband had not made an LPA, his wife could not handle the property sale alone and eventually had to go through the complicated court process to apply to become his deputy. The process was lengthy and expensive. “They are still dealing with the related procedures,” he said.
Sammy Leong stressed that an LPA is not only necessary for the elderly but also equally important for young people. “Accidents can happen anytime. If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, your family will face both legal and financial difficulties.”
Although past retirement age, he continues to work full-time in this meaningful role, and he admits that helping others with long-term planning gives him great fulfillment.
In addition, he actively participates in roadshows and talks to promote the LPA and Advance Care Planning (ACP), explaining how these tools work together to provide individuals with comprehensive future healthcare and financial planning.
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Unable to access husband’s funds, wife falls into financial difficulty
A patient who suffered a brain hemorrhage had not made an LPA, leaving his wife and children in difficulty. This deeply moved a clinic founder, who ensured all doctors in his clinics are qualified to certify LPAs.
Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development, Mr Goh Pei Ming attended the event yesterday to present awards to 56 organizations for their outstanding contributions in promoting LPA and other legacy planning initiatives.
One of the award recipients, Keystone Clinic & Surgery founder Dr. Jackie Lam (32), said in an interview that in 2019, when he was still a junior doctor, he encountered a male patient who lost his mental capacity due to a brain hemorrhage. Because he had not made an LPA, his wife and children could not access his bank accounts.
“The patient had two children, but the family could not use the funds to pay for daily expenses, including medical fees and school fees. Eventually, they had to go through the court to appoint a deputy, a process that took several months.”
This experience deeply affected him. When he later established his clinics, he ensured that all doctors across his three clinics were qualified to certify LPAs, so as to prevent other families from falling into similar predicaments.
His clinics also regularly hold seminars to explain the importance and benefits of LPA to patients and community residents.
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Mr Goh Pei Ming urges: Use CDC and SG60 vouchers to pay certification fees
Mr Goh Pei Ming encouraged Singaporeans to use Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers and SG60 vouchers to pay for LPA certification fees.
According to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as of August 15, about 350,000 citizens had signed an LPA, around 1.8 million had nominated CPF beneficiaries, and more than 80,000 had completed an ACP.
Singaporeans intending to make an LPA can now offset certification fees using CDC vouchers at selected certification institutions.
At the launch event, Mr Goh Pei Ming said that over the past 15 years, the LPA has developed from nothing to becoming widely supported by public agencies, financial institutions, religious groups, and grassroots organizations, helping people from all walks of life understand its benefits.
“When accidents or illnesses strike suddenly, without an LPA, our family members may face invisible stress when making decisions on our behalf... I encourage Singaporeans to consider using CDC and SG60 vouchers to pay for certification fees, making it more affordable.”
Report by Feng Kailin
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