Powers of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone to make decisions about personal matters (such as where you live) or financial matters (such as paying bills) or both. This person is called an attorney. You can limit the power to cover only specific matters, and you can choose when the powers start. Where there is no Powers of Attorney, the Government or VCAT, will appoint and administrator to make decision on your behalf if you are not able to.
Power of Attorney - Medical
Your attorney cannot make medical treatment decisions for you unless they also have Enduring and medical powers of attorney. The power endures – or continues – if and when you are unable to make decisions for yourself. If you don’t appoint anyone, and are unable to make a decision when it needs to be made, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will appoint a government organisation to make the decision for you.
Power of Attorney - Financial
An enduring power of attorney (financial) authorises the person to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf. You can elect for the power to take effect immediately, on a specified date, or if and when you became mentally incapacitated.
Advance Care Directives
Advanced Care directives allow you to give instructions on how you want to be treated as part of your future care and medical treatment. This takes the pressure off family members to make those decisions on your behalf, Although this has been available in other States of Australia, it has just been introduced in Victoria. We can assist you with completing this directive.