Powers of Attorney

An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a legal document which allows an individual to appoint a specific person (usually a close family member) to look after both their personal (including medical) and financial affairs if they lose their mental capacity in the future.

An EPA empowers an individual, in that it ensures their personal wishes are met if they become too frail or incapable to make those decisions for themselves.  

Our team of solicitors guide you and your loved ones through this area of the law. We see people who have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia, have suffered from a stroke, or have other degenerative illnesses who are worried that the day will come when they cannot do their own banking, manage their affairs, give instruction to a doctor or to a medical provider. We see spouses and children who are concerned their parents are losing the ability to make clear decisions and want to protect them. 

I’m too young to make an EPA!

While it is true that people of advancing years or those starting to show signs of memory loss are more likely to need an Enduring Power of Attorney when compared with someone younger, you can never tell when an accident or illness may strike. 

You are protecting your loved ones and also ensuring that should you become incapacitated, your trusted family law member or friend (known as an Attorney) can manage your affairs.

By creating an EPA, you can make certain that you won’t be placing your loved ones under the financial hardship of trying to cover medical and nursing home fees, as your Attorney will be able to access your own finances to cover those costs. Similarly, your wishes in relation to your medical treatment can be expressed.

For more information on the EPA process for you or a loved one, please come and talk with us and we can guide you through the process.