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Power
of Attorney
- Enduring or Continuing
A
power of attorney is a written document naming a person to
manage your financial affairs while you are still alive but
become mentally incompetent.
If
you become incapable of managing your own affairs and do not
have a signed power of attorney, a government body called
the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee can step in
to manage your assets.
A
family member can apply through this office to be your representative
or attorney but the process is generally more expensive, time
consuming and stressful than preparing a power of attorney
in the first place.
Power
of Attorney - Personal Care:
A power of attorney for personal care, also called a living
will, is a written document outlining what forms of medical
treatment you do or do not wish to receive should you become
incapacitated and who will make those decisions for you.
You
must be of sound mind when you prepare and sign this document
for it to be valid. Should you become incapacitated without
a living will, the law sets out which family members would
become the medical decisions makers.
What
is Probate?
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