Powers of Attorney Victoria
A Power of Attorney document appoints someone you choose to manage your financial, or personal matters if you can no longer do so yourself. We create thousands of Power of Attorney documents annually for Victorians.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is an important legal document that can be made by anyone aged 18 and above who has decision making capacity. We can all experience illness or injury unexpectedly, and as a result, become unable to manage our own affairs. A Power of Attorney lets you choose someone you trust, called an Attorney to step in and make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. You are able to limit the Attorney’s power to specific matters and elect when the Attorney’s powers commence should you chose to do so.
Book an appointment
Meet with our team to prepare your Power of Attorney document
What’s an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)?
An ‘Enduring’ Power of Attorney means that your Power of Attorney continues even if you lose decision making capacity.Â
Key benefits
Support for decisions
By choosing someone you trust to act as your Attorney, you’ll get the support you need to make crucial decisions in alignment with your wishes.
Clear instructions and control
You can tailor the document to what you want for financial and personal decisions while giving you freedom to nominate an Attorney of your choice
Avoid legal worries
Having a Power of Attorney document in place can help avoid future legal costs and disputes among loved ones.
Financial stability
The person or professional you nominate can keep your bills and finances in good order.
Types of documents we prepare
We have assisted thousands of Victorians to prepare Power of Attorney documents that meet their personal needs. Types include:
1. Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
Appoint a person or professional to manage your financial affairs, including any related legal matters. You can appoint State Trustees as your Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
2. Enduring Power of Attorney (Personal)
Appoint a person or professional to make non-medical decisions relating to your personal situation and lifestyle. You cannot appoint State Trustees as your Enduring Power of Attorney (Personal)Â
3. Medical Treatment / Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker
Similar to a Power of Attorney, this document allows you to appoint a person or professional to legally make medical treatment decisions in the event you can’t due to injury or illness. You cannot appoint State Trustees as your Medical Treatment Decision Maker.
Book an appointment
Meet with our team to prepare your Power of Attorney document
Who to appoint as your Attorney
When appointing an Attorney, you should choose a person you trust to make a range of important personal and financial decisions on your behalf if you lose decision making capacity. The person you choose should be willing and able to accept the appointment, and unlikely to die before you. You can appoint more than one Attorney. The options are:
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A person or professional you trust: This could be a friend, family member or your solicitor to act as your personal and/or financial Attorney.
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State Trustees: Appointing us as your Enduring Power of Attorney (financial) can remove the burden from loved ones, and ensure important decisions are made by professionals.
Important things to know
Plan ahead of time
If you become incapacitated, your spouse doesn’t automatically and legally get to make decisions without your consent. A Power of Attorney document makes your wishes clear on your choice of Attorney.
Make sure your wishes are clear
If you become incapacitated, your spouse doesn’t automatically and legally get to make decisions without your consent. A Power of Attorney document makes your wishes clear on your choice of Attorney.Â
Book an appointment
Meet with our team to prepare your Power of Attorney document
Summary of fees and charges
| Service | Price (inc. GST) |
|---|---|
| Power of Attorney Appointment for singles* | $330 (one document) |
| Power of Attorney Appointment for couples* | $600 (two documents) |
| Power of Attorney storage | $0 |
*Discounts available for bundled appointments (preparing multiple document types), concession card holders and where we are both appointed and requested to commence as your attorney). Other fees may apply, including offsite travel costs for appointments.
Further information
Frequently asked questions
What are Powers of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney lets someone else make important decisions on your behalf when you need it most. This can be an organisation like State Trustees, a trusted relative or a friend.
What types of Powers of Attorney do you prepare?
State Trustees assists thousands of Victorians to prepare Power of Attorney documents. These can include:
Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial): Appoint a person or professional to manage your financial affairs, including any related legal matters. You can appoint State Trustees as your Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
Enduring Power of Attorney (Personal): Appoint a person or professional to make non-medical decisions relating to your personal situation and lifestyle. You cannot appoint State Trustees as your Enduring Power of Attorney (Personal).Â
Can I revoke a Power of Attorney?
You can revoke (cancel) your power of attorney at any time. You just need to tell your attorney and collect and destroy the original documents. However, you must have decision-making capacity to do this.
When can my appointed Attorney start making decisions?
You can choose when your attorney’s powers start. For example, in Victoria, under an enduring power of attorney, you can choose whether your attorney can use the powers you give them straight away, when you are not able to make decisions for yourself, or from a particular time, circumstance or occasion. An attorney must act in line with your directions.
How often should my Power of Attorney be reviewed?
It is recommended that your documents be reviewed at least every two to three years, like you would with a will or if something changes with the person you have appointed. Changed circumstances that might cause you to review can include your relationship with the person, their health, how much you see them or other suitability factors.
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Original artwork ‘Four Sisters Coming Together’ by Melissa Bell 2023