What is a Power of Attorney and why is it important to have one?
Power of Attorney is the legal authority for someone else (or trustee organisation) to conduct your financial and legal affairs on your behalf.
A Power of Attorney has two types: general and enduring. General Powers of Attorney lapse automatically if the person granting the Attorney loses capacity. ‘Enduring’ means that the power continues, even if the grantor of the Attorney loses the capacity to make decisions.
Although contemplating your future about your potential incapacity to make decisions is far from pleasant, it is very important. For example, you could be overseas and cannot sign a document because you unexpectantly are mentally capable of making decisions. Or you could become ill and not have the capacity to make decisions about your healthcare treatment.
Appointing someone you trust to be Power of Attorney for you, to make decisions on your behalf gives you the choice. You choose who will be that person making the decisions in case you are unable to make decisions about matters that concern you. You can appoint more than one Attorney who can act jointly (together), as a majority (two-thirds, etc) or severally.
TESTIMONIALS
Property Purchase
Michael Daly went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly and rescued me from my own ignorance. A true champion! Thank you so much.
Our thanks to you and your supportive staff for your tireless efforts in assisting us through this difficult time.
Michael has been my family Solicitor for 30 years. My family and I have used his services in a number of ways – Sale and purchase of properties; Purchase and sale of businesses; Preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney; Successful recovery of unpaid monies on sale of a car by a family member. I have always found Michael to be very thorough, knowledgeable and very comfortable to deal with. I highly value the services he continues to provide.
