Wills, Powers of Attorney & Advanced Health Directives

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to arrange a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney (“EPOA”) and Advanced Health Directive (“ADH”).

1. A Will determines who will receive your assets after you die, and who is in control of distributing those assets. It can also leave instructions such as giving someone a right to reside in your home before it is sold, whether you want to be buried or cremated, whether you want to exclude someone from your Will and why etc.
2. An EPOA allows somebody or several people to make decisions for you in the event you lose capacity (i.e. cannot manage your own affairs due to a medical condition or accident). This is a very useful tool when you have multiple people who claim to be your next of kin, i.e. you may have remarried, or have several adult children who all have opposing ideas as to your welfare.
3. An ADH is sometimes referred to as a living Will because it instructs the Doctor and other medical professionals how to treat you when you’re dying. Do you want to be kept on life support? Do you have any treatments that you can’t accept due to religious, cultural or spiritual values? These are all matters which you can discuss with your Doctor before you are not able to anymore.

Arbon Legal Group for over 20 years, have been providing comprehensive legal help to the people of the Gold Coast community. If you require further information or legal assistance please contact Arbon Legal Group Lawyers on 07 5562 0444 or email admin@arbonlegal.com.au.