In these circumstances, you would need to rely on an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG) so that your chosen Attorney (typically your spouse or close family member) can continue to manage your affairs in such a way that you want.
Contrary to popular belief, if you become incapable of managing your own affairs, your spouse or close family member is not automatically entitled to act on your behalf – hence the importance of an EPA.
Act Before it’s Too Late. Like any important document, you should not wait until unforeseen circumstances force you to prepare your Powers of Attorney in haste. It should be prepared and signed while you are in good health and can take the time to make the right decisions.
Along with your Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is one of the most important documents you can execute in planning for your future and the future of your loved ones.
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 can not be authorised to make property or financial decisions on your behalf. For this, you would need an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA).