What are enduring powers of attorney?

Enduring powers of attorney (EPAs) are legal documents whereby you appoint someone you trust to make important decisions on your behalf if or when you cannot make these decisions yourself (often due to illness or injury).

 

Why would I need an EPA?

 We all grow old, some of us not particularly well or benignly. Life outcomes are not predictable as to time and place. For the same reason we have insurance to mitigate possible events and perils, we need EPAs.

 

Two types of enduring powers of attorney.

 

Personal care and welfare EPA.

You appoint someone to make decisions about how you are to be cared for, will be daily looked after or generally helped if need be.

 

Property and Finance EPA.

You have someone to take care of your finances and assets.

 

Why should I have EPAs?

For the same reasons as to why you should have a will, but added also as when you cannot manage your own affairs and why you have insurance, someone else must and you want to make it possible and easy for her or him to do so.

 

EPAs costs

EPAs are usually not expensive. Again see the              section.