Why Do We Need To Plan Ahead?
We often take our abilities for granted. For example, our ability to understand information, use the information to make decisions, and being able to communicate decisions. There may come a time when your loved one no longer has the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, due to health conditions or other circumstances - where they are no longer able to tell you "yes" or "no" to what they want. A loss of mental capacity can result from health conditions such as stroke, dementia, coma, or head trauma due to an accident.
Understanding Care Preferences And Arrangements
While your loved one still has mental capacity, you can start a conversation with them to understand their care preference and arrangements should they lose their mental capacity.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
A Lasting Power of Attorney gives you legal powers to make decisions for your loved ones when they can no longer do so. This includes decisions on their personal welfare, property, and affairs. Without an LPA, you will need a court order to administer the wishes and affairs of a loved one, which can be costly and time-consuming. Find out more information on LPA
here.
Central Provident Fund (CPF) Nomination
Money from CPF does not form part of your loved one’s estate – this protects the fund from creditors and allows it to go directly to your loved one’s beneficiaries. CPF nomination is free of charge. Upon death, the CPF monies may be paid out via cash or cheque.
If no CPF nomination is made, you and your family may apply to the Public Trustee’s Office to distribute the CPF monies, for a fee. Find out more
here.
Will Planning
A will documents how your loved one would like to distribute their money and possessions (also called their estate) after they have passed on. Upon death, you and your family can apply to the Courts for a Grant of Probate to distribute the estate according to the will. If no will is made, the estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act or Inheritance Certificate (for Muslims).
Brain Bank Singapore
The Brain Bank Singapore is a joint partnership between Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and the National Healthcare Group (NHG). It is set up to retrieve and store brain tissue from donors who have consented to give this gift for research after death.
Click
here to read more if you or your loved ones are interested to become a donor.
Advance Medical Directive (AMD)
In situations when your loved one suffers a grave illness that is incurable and likely to lead to end of life, an Advance Medical Directive makes a legal record that your loved one would not want excessive treatment just to keep them alive.
It can help guide doctors to let your loved one pass on with dignity. Learn more about AMDs
here.
