Power of Attorney & Enduring Guardianship
If you think completing your will means you’re good to go, think again. Your will only ‘kicks in’ upon your death, and if you’re reading this you likely have a decent amount of living to do.
Enter the Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship! These are best described as your ‘living documents.’
These documents allow you to authorise someone to help you through the twist and turns of life. They ensure that come what may you have someone you trust to act as your voice.
APPOINTING A TRUSTED VOICE
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a document which allows you to appoint someone to be able to assist you with your financial and legal matters. This may include accessing your funds, selling your property, and signing legal documents for you.
“What is the main benefit of having Power of Attorney? ”
The benefit of having an Attorney is that if you are unable (perhaps due to age, illness, or global pandemic) to take care of important matters you have someone lined up to automatically step in. In a way it’s like giving someone the superpower of being able to legally transform into you.
“Are all Power of Attorney documents the same?”
Not all Power of Attorney documents are the same. Some are designed to only cover a specific purpose or time period ( ie If you were overseas for a few weeks and needed someone to sign a contract). Alternatively, you may wish to put in place an Enduring Power of Attorney, which allows the document to continue even if you happen to lose your mental capacity.
“I need help to customise my Power of Attorney. ”
Giving someone Power of Attorney is a huge decision and must be carefully considered. To put your mind at ease at Abbotts and Co we work with you to prepare a customised document to give your attorney all the power you feel that they need, while also making any restrictions you regard as necessary.
PROTECTING YOUR AUTONOMY AND WELLBEING
Enduring Guardianship
The other important ‘living document’ is the Enduring Guardianship. Unlike the Power of Attorney which is all about the ‘money and legal stuff’ the Enduring Guardianship is designed to cover your health and lifestyle decisions.
“What happens if I lose capacity?”
Not only does a personalised Guardianship document provide the comfort of knowing your most personal wishes are recorded, but it also provides your guardians with a clear roadmap. In doing so you are helping to relieve some of their emotional burden and ensuring that even after you have lost capacity, as much as possible, you remain in the driver seat.
“What is an Enduring Guardianship? ”
An Enduring Guardianship becomes active if you ever become incapable of making your own decisions. Its all about selecting who you feel knows your wishes best in relation to matters such as your accommodation preferences and end of life treatment plans.
At Abbotts & Co we believe that having these important 'living documents' should not be a luxury but rather an essential part of future planning. As such we are committed to providing high quality, yet reasonably priced legal documents. We also provide significant discounts to those who see the value of including a Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship as part of their broader estate planning.
Tomorrow is only a day away.
As John F. Kennedy wisely pointed out ‘the best time to repair the roof is when the sun is still shining.’ Similarly, we believe that right now is the best time to plan for the uncertainties of your tomorrow.
To complete a Power of Attorney and/or an Enduring Guardianship document, contact us or use our appointment form on this page to book in an obligation free discussion about your arrangements.