The peak body of Justices of the Peace Associations within Australia and New Zealand
Advance Directives
Each jurisdiction has its own legislation covering Advance Directives. It is recommended therefore that you seek the correct form and process from the government website relevant to your jurisdiction.
There are various types of Advance Directives • Power of Attorney • Enduring Power of Attorney • Enduring Power of Guardianship, or • Advance Care Directive (Sth Aust)
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints one or more people to make financial and legal decisions for you. Unlike a general power of attorney, it continues to be legal even if you are unable to make these decisions yourself. This means that someone you choose can take control of your financial and legal affairs if you ever lose capacity.
An Enduring Power of Guardianship is a legal document that authorises a person of your choice, to make important personal, lifestyle and treatment decisions on your behalf should you ever become incapable of making such decisions yourself. This person is known as an enduring guardian. An enduring guardian could be authorised to make decisions about things such as where you live, the support services you have access to and the treatment you receive. An enduring guardian cannot be authorised to make property or financial decisions on your behalf.
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