👉 遗嘱 ≠ LPA，这一点一定要知道
很多人都会说：
「我已经立好遗嘱了。」
但在新加坡，
遗嘱和 LPA 处理的，
其实是两件完全不同的事情。
遗嘱，
是在你走了以后才会用到。
LPA，
是在你还活着，但已经不能自己做决定的时候。
如果没有 LPA，
家人必须向法院申请，
流程会比较久，
那段时间对家人来说，
往往是最辛苦的阶段。
所以，
只有遗嘱，
并不代表安排已经完整。
From my experience with estate planning in Singapore, many people mistakenly think that just having a Will is enough to secure their family's future. However, the Will only governs what happens after you pass away—it doesn't help if you're still alive but unable to make decisions. That's where creating an LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney) becomes important. Without an LPA, your family may face a lengthy and stressful legal process to get the authority to manage your affairs, known as a deputyship application. This process can take several months and adds emotional and financial burdens during an already difficult time. An LPA legally appoints someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. It covers personal welfare decisions as well as financial matters, giving your family the authority to act swiftly without court intervention. Additionally, understanding the differences between grant of probate and letter of administration is important. Probate is granted when there is a valid Will, allowing the executor to manage the estate. Without a Will, the court may grant a letter of administration to appoint someone to handle the estate, but this process can be more complicated. In summary, having both a Will and an LPA provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring your wishes are respected both during your life and after. I highly recommend consulting with a Singapore-based estate planner to draft these documents properly, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind.
