Powers of Attorney

What is a Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney is a legal document appointing another person to act on your behalf in handling your affairs (‘your attorney’). It is possible to appoint more than one person as your attorney. Your Attorney should be someone you trust, who is capable and willing to look after your affairs.

• General Power of Attorney - This type of Power of Attorney is usually used for business matters. The General Power of Attorney can authorise your Attorney to deal with your financial or personal affairs, or both. It becomes invalid when you lose your capacity to make decisions.

• Enduring Power of Attorney - The Enduring Power of Attorney continues to operate even if you have lost the capacity to make decisions. This Power of Attorney can authorise your Attorney to deal with financial or personal/ health matters. It is possible to select a predetermined event or date for the commencement of the Power of Attorney relating to your financial matters. For personal/ health matters, your Power of Attorney only comes into effect on the date of incapacity.

• Advance Health Directives - This document allows you to direct your future health care, in the event you lose the capacity to make these decisions, i.e. the withdrawal of medical treatment designed to prolong life.