Power of Attorney 2017-09-21T10:14:42+00:00

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

A Power of Attorney is as important for life planning as making a Will. Many people prepare a Will but do not give the same consideration to appointing an attorney until it is too late. Appointing an attorney gives your attorney the legal authority to look after your financial affairs on your behalf.

You can appoint an attorney to act for you in a variety of circumstances such as an extended interstate or overseas trip, or for a time when you are no longer able to manage your own affairs.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY EXPLAINED

A general power of attorney is where you appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions for you, usually for a specified period of time, for example if you’re overseas and unable to manage your legal affairs at home. This person’s appointment becomes invalid if you loose the capacity to make decisions for yourself.

An enduring power of attorney is where you appoint a person to make financial and legal decisions for you, even in the circumstances that you lose the capacity to make your own decisions.

A medical power of attorney is where the appointed person can make only medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.

You may also choose to prepare a few other documents to help your legal appointees and family, including:

  • An enduring power of guardianship which gives the nominated person the right to choose where you live and make decisions about your medical care and other lifestyle choices, if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions.
  • An anticipatory direction which records your wishes about medical treatment in the future, in case you become unable to express those wishes yourself.
  • An advance healthcare directive (or living Will) which documents how you would like your body to be dealt with if you lose the capacity to make these types of decisions yourself.

The documents you choose to draw up will depend on your situation and the responsibilities you are comfortable to entrust to your appointed nominee. It is important that you nominate a person or people that you know are trustworthy, if possible, financially astute, and likely to be around when you need them.

Please call us to discuss your individual circumstances so we may tailor the most appropriate solution to suit your individual needs.