Most people, when they first hear about a Lasting Power of Attorney, jump straight to one question: who do I put down?
It sounds simple. You pick someone you trust: a spouse, a child, a sibling. And that is that. But the decision deserves more thought than most people give it.
Here's why it matters. A donee is the person who steps in to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Depending on the powers you grant, they could be managing your bank accounts, selling your property, or deciding where you live and what medical treatment you receive. That is a significant amount of responsibility to hand to anyone.
The two types of powers and why they matter
Personal welfare covers decisions about your daily care, living arrangements, and medical treatment. This is deeply personal. Your donee needs to know your values, your preferences, and what truly matters to you.
Property and financial affairs covers managing your bank accounts, paying bills, handling investments, and dealing with property. This requires someone organised, financially responsible, and ideally familiar with your financial situation.
You can appoint the same person for both, or different people for each. There is no single right answer.
What to look for in a donee
A good donee is not just someone you trust. Think about:
Age and longevity. This is something many people overlook. Your donee needs to be mentally and physically capable of acting on your behalf at the time they are called upon. That could be decades from now. Appointing someone of a similar age or older means they may themselves be unwell or incapacitated when the time comes. For this reason, many people choose a donee from the next generation, such as an adult child, to ensure the LPA remains functional for as long as it is needed.
Availability. Are they based in Singapore? Do they have the bandwidth to take on this responsibility if the time comes?
Temperament. Will they stay calm under pressure? Can they make difficult decisions without being paralysed by guilt or family conflict?
Relationship dynamics. If you have multiple children, appointing one as sole donee can create tension with the others. Think about how your choice will land with the rest of the family.
Financial responsibility. For property and financial powers especially, consider whether they manage their own finances well.
A word on joint donees
Some people appoint two donees and require them to act jointly, meaning both must agree on every decision. This adds a layer of checks but can also create deadlock in urgent situations. Others opt for "jointly and severally," allowing either donee to act independently. Neither is universally better. It depends on the relationship between your donees and how much oversight you want built in.
Choosing a donee is not a form-filling exercise. It is a conversation about who knows you, who you trust, and who can genuinely act in your best interests when you are no longer able to speak for yourself.
Take your time
Choosing a donee is not something you need to rush. If it would help to talk it through, we are here.
Worth a conversation