Power of Attorney (POA) in Singapore

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to act on your behalf in legal or financial matters. This appointed person is known as the Attorney-in-Fact. You can appoint any competent adult, such as a family member, friend, or trusted advisor, as long as they are willing and able to perform the duties specified in the POA.

To prepare a POA, follow these steps:

1. Determine the scope: Decide whether the POA will be general or limited in scope.
2. Select an attorney-in-fact: Choose someone you trust to act on your behalf.
3. Draft the document: Use a template or consult a lawyer to ensure it meets legal requirements.
4. Sign and witness: Sign the document in the presence of a witness or notary public, if required by your jurisdiction.

A POA becomes invalid under the following circumstances:

• Revocation: You revoke the POA while you are still competent.
• Death: The principal (the person who created the POA) passes away.
• Incapacity: If the POA was a durable POA and the principal becomes incapacitated, the POA remains valid; otherwise, it may become invalid.
• Expiration: The POA specifies an expiration date or condition that triggers its invalidity.

No, a POA and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) are not the same. An LPA is a specific type of POA that remains in effect if you become mentally incapacitated. It is designed to cover decisions about your health and welfare or property and financial matters, depending on the type of LPA. A regular POA, however, may become invalid if you lose mental capacity.

Yes, there are several types of POAs:

• General POA: Grants broad powers to the attorney-in-fact to act on your behalf in various matters.
• Limited POA: Provides specific powers for particular tasks or transactions.
• Durable POA: Remains in effect if you become incapacitated.
• Springing POA: Becomes effective only upon the occurrence of a specified event, such as incapacitation.

The procedure for a Housing & Development Board (HDB) POA in Singapore includes:

1. Obtain the form: Download the HDB POA form from the HDB website or get it from an HDB branch.
2. Complete the form: Fill in the details of the principal and attorney-in-fact, and specify the powers granted.
3. Sign and witness: Both the principal and attorney-in-fact must sign the form in the presence of a witness.
4. Submit the form: Submit the completed form to HDB for registration if required.

The costs associated with creating a POA can vary depending on several factors:

• Legal Fees: If you consult a lawyer to draft the POA, fees can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on complexity.
• Notarization: If notarization is required, there may be additional fees, typically around $10 to $50.
• Filing Fees: Some jurisdictions may require filing fees for registering the POA, which can vary.