Power of Attorney
What is Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint another person to manage your affairs in the event that you are unable or unwilling or no longer have the capacity to do so.
If you are over 18, it is important that you plan for your future while you have capacity and organise a Power of Attorney. Losing capacity does not just happen to the elderly – it can happen at any time as a result of a head injury, dementia or illness.
If you appoint someone as your Attorney, it will allow them to pay your bills, prepare your tax returns and other financial duties on your behalf. It may also allow them to decide things like where and who you will live with.
A General Power of Attorney is usually used of you are absent from the Country and cannot sign documentation on your behalf. This Power of Attorney is usually limited to a particular event and will cease if it is revoked or if you lose capacity.
An Enduring Power of Attorney will continue even if you lose capacity.
What is an Advanced Health Directive (AHD)?
An Advanced Health Directive (or AHD) is a document that allows you to specify what life sustaining measures you wish to have undertaken for you in the event that you no longer have capacity to express your wishes. It gives you the right to instruct your right to decline certain medical treatments like tube feeding or resuscitation to prolong your life.
It allows you to advise what quality of life is acceptable to you. You can instruct that if you have a terminal illness with no known cure or severe illness or injury that you may never recover from, that all life-sustaining measures be withdrawn.
Anyone over the age of 18 that has capacity and the understanding of the document should make an AHD. Your AHD should be reviewed every two years.
If you wish to draft a Power of Attorney or Advanced Health Directive, we are able to assist you for a reasonable and fixed fee of $220.00.
