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Make sure that things are running smoothly when you
can't do it yourself.
What is an Enduring Power of Attorney? An Enduring Power of Attorney
is a legal document giving someone else the power to make decisions on your
behalf.
This person can be given the power to make personal health decisions as
well as financial decisions.'Enduring' means that the power of attorney
continues even if you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself through
illness, accident or for some other reason. Your attorney is only entitled
to make decisions on your behalf with respect to personal health matters
if and when you are incapacitated.
Examples of some personal decisions you may need to have made for you are:
- Someone may need to decide where you live and with whom
- Day to day issues like your diet and dress may need determination
- Decisions may need to be made as to what health care you should receive
Examples of some financial decisions that may be made by someone given
a Power of Attorney are:
- Operating your bank accounts
- Deciding how your income should be invested
- Paying accounts on your behalf
You may be away from home when documents need to be signed or you may
be suffering from an illness or injury that affects your ability to make
decisions. Giving someone an enduring power of attorney means that your
wishes will be carried out if you lose the capacity to make decisions
yourself. Your attorney will have the power to make decisions in your
interest and to sign all necessary documents.
Changes from June 1st 1998
If you have made a power of attorney before June 1st 1998, that power
of attorney still has legal force but would be limited to financial matters
only. Your attorney could not make decisions about your health care. If
you already have an attorney under the old law you should consider completing
a new form as the new form gives you new options. You could then appoint
an attorney for personal health matters and could be more specific about
the decisions you would like your attorney to make.
Please
contact Taylors
Solicitors, we can help you set up a power of attorney.
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