Areas Of Law
You are here: Areas Of Law › Wills & Estates › Power of Attorney & Health Direction
What is a Power of Attorney?
Areas Of Law
By signing a Power of Attorney, you are appointing a person or persons to act for you when you are not able to act personally. Your inability to act personally may result simply from the fact that you are going away on holiday and wish to appoint someone to control your personal or business affairs during your absence.
What effect does a Power of Attorney have?
A Power of Attorney can expressly state what powers the Attorney will have and for how long the Attorney can exercise those powers. Having a Power of Attorney can avoid lengthy delays occurring in the execution of legal documents such as Transfers, Leases and Mortgages whilst you are absent.
Enduring Power of Attorney - what is it?
An Enduring Power of Attorney is signed when you want to appoint a person or persons to control your affairs including decisions about your medical care when you are no longer able to personally make those decisions. Executing an Enduring Power of Attorney in anticipation of illness or incapacity can avoid difficulties arising when decisions have to be made regarding your assets and your medical care.
Health Direction - is it necessary?
By giving a health direction in an Enduring Power of Attorney, you can expressly state whether you wish to receive ongoing medical treatment if you are placed onto a life support machine.
More questions?
The signing of a Power of Attorney can have significant legal consequences and our lawyers are available to prepare both General Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney for you. Make an appointment to see one of our lawyers to put your affairs in order.