Medical certification for important legal decisions
Some legal documents in Singapore require a doctor to confirm your identity, mental capacity and medical status. At Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic, we provide medical assessments and certification to support such documents, mainly in the areas of planning ahead and documenting health for legal or insurance purposes.
We do not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. Our role is to make sure that the medical parts of the process are handled carefully, respectfully and in line with the law, and that you understand the implications of what you are signing.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – medical assessment and certification
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you (the donor) to appoint one or more trusted people (donees) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity in the future.
In our clinic, we assist with LPA Form 1 certification for suitable cases. During an LPA-related visit, the doctor will:
- Verify your identity and confirm that you are making the LPA voluntarily.
- Assess your mental capacity in relation to the LPA – that is, whether you understand what the LPA is for, what powers you are giving to your donee(s), and what may happen in the future.
- Check for any medical conditions that may affect capacity, and document these appropriately.
- Complete and sign the certification section of the LPA form if you meet the required criteria.
For more complex or contentious situations – for example, where there is disagreement within the family, where capacity is clearly impaired, or where the Court is already involved – we may advise you to seek legal advice or specialist assessment instead of proceeding in a primary care setting.
Advance Medical Directive (AMD)
An Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a legal document that states your wish not to receive extraordinary life-sustaining treatment in the event of terminal illness, when you are unconscious or unable to make decisions, and where death is inevitable.
We can:
- Explain, in plain language, what an AMD does and does not cover.
- Discuss common questions and concerns, in the context of your current health and family situation.
- Conduct the medical examination and act as a witness for the AMD form if you decide to proceed.
These conversations are often easier when you already have a relationship with a regular Family Physician who understands your medical history and values.
Other medical reports for legal or insurance purposes
From time to time, you or your lawyer/insurer may need a medical report to support:
- Insurance claims
- Personal accident or injury cases
- Applications to the Court involving mental capacity
- Other legal matters where a factual summary of your medical condition is required
In such cases, we can:
- Review your records from our clinic and, where necessary, from hospitals or other providers (if you provide them to us).
- Conduct an appropriate clinical assessment.
- Prepare a factual medical report describing diagnoses, treatment, and relevant findings.
We do not act as expert witnesses in contentious legal disputes. For highly specialised or complex cases, you may be advised to seek a report from the relevant hospital specialist.
What we currently do not offer
At present, we:
- Do not provide formal Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitation sessions, although we are happy to talk about your wishes for future care in the course of routine consultations and can direct you to ACP resources if you wish to explore this further.
- Do not offer legal advice on the choice of donees, the drafting of wills, or litigation strategy. For those questions, you should speak with a lawyer.
What to bring for your appointment
To make the process smoother, please bring:
- Your NRIC or other official identification.
- Any partially completed forms (e.g. LPA Form 1, AMD form) if you already have them.
- A list of your current medications and major medical conditions.
- Any relevant letters from hospitals or specialists, especially if the assessment relates to mental capacity.
For LPA and AMD appointments, it is often helpful – though not always essential – for a close family member or proposed donee to attend, so that everyone understands the process and can ask questions.
Book a medical certification appointment
If you need medical certification for an LPA, AMD or other legal or insurance-related medical report, we are happy to guide you through the medical parts of the process.
You can book an appointment online or call us to speak with our staff.
When booking, please let us know that the visit is for LPA / AMD / legal report certification, so that we can allocate sufficient time and advise you on what to prepare before your visit.