A Power of Attorney is a document given from one person to another to act on their behalf should they not be able to manage their own affairs. A Power of Attorney can be given to a woman’s partner or another adult, such as a close and trusted friend. The nominated person, known legally as the donee, can also manage the woman’s financial or practical arrangements, if she is unable to do this for herself.
There are four types of Power of Attorney.
- Power of Attorney – someone you trust who can make decisions about your care at a given point in time if you are not able to decide for yourself; if you wish, a Power of Attorney can also manage your financial arrangements if you are unable to do this for yourself
- Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial) – someone you appoint who can make financial or legal decisions for you if at sometime in the future you are unable to make those decisions for yourself
- Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment) – someone you appoint who can make medical treatment decisions for you if at sometime in the future you are unable to make those decisions for yourself
- Enduring Power of Guardianship – someone you appoint who can make decisions related to your lifestyle, such as where you will live, if at sometime in the future you are unable to make those decisions for yourself.
Before appointing someone it’s important for a woman to discuss with them the kinds of decisions they might be asked to make. They need a clear understanding of the woman’s views and wishes.