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Legal support
Some people find it difficult to plan ahead, make a will or assign power of attorney to another person. Added to this, legal arrangements can sometimes seem daunting – in each state, there are laws that say who has the legal authority to consent on a person’s behalf if they’re no longer able to do so.
You and your carer may need legal support to carry out some of the things the person you’re caring for will need you to do. There are several ways you can get the legal support you require, including getting a power of attorney and applying for guardianship or administration right.
- Who should I go to for legal advice?
- Legal arrangements
- Questions to consider
- Getting affairs in order – help for carers
Who should I go to for legal advice?
There are many legal professionals you can visit who will help you plan ahead. Here are some of them:- your local community legal centre
- Legal Aid
- a guardianship board or tribunal
- a law society or institute, and
- a solicitor.
Legal support
There are a number of legal arrangements that may help you plan for the future and put your affairs in order – such as a power of attorney or an enduring power of attorney. Carers will find that much depends on the abilities, views and age of the person they care for. Every situation is different, which is where professional advice is invaluable.Questions to consider
Questions to consider include the following:- Do you have a will?
- Is this will current?
- Where is the will kept?
- Are there copies of the will?
- Who are the executors of the will?
- Do you have an advanced care plan or directive?
- If you have to go into an aged care home, what arrangements do you want made to pay your accommodation bond or charges?
- Does someone know where your important documents are kept?
- Does someone know the details of legal arrangements you have made with the person you care for?
Getting affairs in order – help for carers
Even though it may be hard to discuss the future with the person you’re caring for, there are many issues that are best raised early on, with all those concerned being involved. Here are some of the things that you may wish to discuss, including the will, preferred choice of aged care home and the location of important documents. This part of the website also looks at the importance of putting an emergency care plan in place should anything happen to you.Read more: About getting your affairs in order
