FINANCIAL & HEALTH AFFAIRS

Powers of Attorney & Enduring Guardians

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows another (or others) to assist you in your financial affairs by giving them legal authority to do so. The person nominated to assist is called an ‘Attorney’. You are not giving up your authority but sharing it with your Attorney.

You may want to appoint an Attorney where:

• You are going overseas or interstate; or
• You have an illness or are going into hospital;
• You are physically unable to look after your affairs;
• You are elderly; or
• You want a particular matter to be dealt with in some other part of the country.

Enduring Guardians

An Enduring Guardian is a person you appoint to make decisions for you about your lifestyle (such as the medical treatment you receive, or where you live, or what healthcare services you receive) if you become incapable of making your own decisions. You choose what, and how, your health-related decisions are to be carried out. Appointments of Enduring Guardians are legal documents specifying these decisions. The Guardianship ends when you die, or you revoke it. It is a backup document just in case you lose the capacity to make medical decisions yourself.

Enrights Solicitors is experienced in advising clients wishing to set up Powers of Attorney or Enduring Guardians. We can also keep these documents safe for you in our secure ‘strong room’ located at our offices.