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Plan Your Legacy Today: A Singapore Government Initiative

Avoid Extra Costs

Legacy planning can help avoid costly delays, disputes and fees, while giving you clarity over who should act for you and how your wishes should be carried out.

Last updated 4 September 2026

Avoid extra costs by planning ahead

Legacy planning allows you and your loved ones to avoid unnecessary costs, and reduce the financial and emotional toll of delays and disputes.

Three people, a young man and two older adults, gather closely to look at a gold tablet together.

Without legacy planning, your loved ones may face high legal fees, administrative charges, and medical costs due to prolonged decision-making. Save significant costs and safeguard their future. Take action today with one of these tools.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Purpose: Appoint someone you trust to make decisions regarding your personal welfare and property & affairs matters in the event that you lose mental capacity.

How it reduces extra costs: Without an LPA in place, those caring for you will have to apply to Court for a Deputyship order to manage your affairs and access your savings to fund daily expenses. Avoid costly court applications and legal disputes over who should manage your affairs.

Cost of planning:

  • LPA application fee - No application fee for Singaporeans using Form 1. Fees for other citizenship and form types can be found here (opens in new tab).

  • Certification by Certificate Issuer - $25 to $80, depending on the issuer.

Cost of NOT planning:

  • Court applications to appoint a deputy if you did not make an LPA: Starts from $3,000, if a lawyer is engaged.

What to do:

  • Step 1 - Consider whom you wish to appoint to make decisions on your behalf (called Donees) and the powers to be granted to them.

  • Step 2 - Complete the online LPA form (opens in new tab) (10 minutes).

  • Step 3 - Your Donee(s) will receive SMS notifications to accept the appointment(s).

  • Step 4 - After your Donee(s) have accepted the appointment(s), schedule an appointment with a Certificate Issuer (opens in new tab) to certify your LPA.

  • Step 5 - Meet your Certificate Issuer, who will ensure you understand the purpose of the LPA and the scope of authority you have conferred on your trusted persons.

➡️ Start now (opens in new tab).

Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Purpose: Document your medical and healthcare preferences for situations where you no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions or speak for yourself.

How It Avoids Delays & Costs: Clarifies your preferences, reducing misunderstandings and potentially costly prolonged treatments.

Cost of planning:

  • The process of ACP is free, although some providers may charge a nominal fee for facilitating an ACP, so do ask about any fees in advance.

  • You may visit the ACP Directory (opens in new tab) for a list of ACP providers.

Cost of NOT planning:

  • Prolonged medical treatments that may not align with your wishes.

  • Emotional and financial strain on family members making difficult decisions.

What to do:

  • Step 1 - Use the myACP (opens in new tab) service to prepare an Advance Care Plan (ACP) online.

  • Step 2 - Get each Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS) to accept their appointment.

  • Step 3 - Share ACP with NHS once registered.

➡️ Start now (opens in new tab).

CPF Nomination

Purpose: Directs your CPF savings to specific individuals.

How It Avoids Delays & Costs: Ensure your loved ones receive your CPF savings quickly, preventing disputes and additional administrative costs.

Cost of planning:

  • Free for CPF members.

Cost of NOT planning?

  • Un-nominated CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee for intestate distribution where a statutory fee will be imposed.

  • Delays in accessing funds may result in additional financial strain on your family.

➡️ Start now (opens in new tab) (5 minutes).

Will

Purpose: Outlines how your assets are to be distributed and dependents cared for.

How It Avoids Delays & Costs: Clearly state your intentions to ensure quick asset distribution and prevent costly disputes.

Cost of planning:

  • Writing a basic will starts from $200 through professional services.

Cost of NOT planning:

  • Dying without a will: Costly court proceedings and legal fees.

  • Family disputes can lead to additional legal fees and delays in asset distribution.

➡️ Learn more about writing a will. (opens in new tab)