When a person loses his mental capacity (eg. stroke, dementia, coma), he will not be able to decide matters for himself. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which allows a person who is 21 years of age or older (Donor), to voluntarily appoint one or more persons called donee or donees, to act and make decisions on his behalf if he should lose mental capacity one day.
The LPA allows a person to protect his interests by indicating his personal, considered choice of a decision maker, i.e. someone he trusts to be reliable, competent and capable, to make decisions and act on his behalf should he becomes vulnerable when he loses his mental capacity.
A Lasting Power of Attorney cannot be used until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
