Enduring Powers of Attorney – A new regime

 

   

BACKGROUND

1

SETTING UP AN EPA

5

Forms

5

Further requirements

5

Witnessing

6

Certificates

7

EPA form – Care and welfare

8

Conditions of, and restrictions on, the attorney's powers to act

8

Appointment of a successor attorney

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Person(s) the attorney must consult when acting and what matters must be consulted on

9

Persons to whom the attorney must give information on request, and the kind of information that

 

 must be provided

9

Who can assess the mental incapacity of the donor in order to trigger the full effect of the EPA

9

Notes to the new EPA care and welfare form

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EPA form – Property

10

Appointment of a successor attorney

10

If joint attorneys are appointed, must they act jointly or can they act severally?

11

Conditions and restrictions (financial or otherwise) on the attorney's power to act

11

Persons the attorney must consult when acting

11

Can the attorney execute a will for the donor?

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Can the attorney benefit him or herself or others?  (There are two statements)

12

Persons to whom information must be given if they request it

13

Whether assessment of mental capacity must be carried out by a specialist

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Practical issues

14

Delegation

15

Attorney’s obligations

17

Current position

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Changes made by Amendment Act

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EPA as to property

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Act in best interests

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Duty to consult

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Options in regard to advice

18

Mutual duty to consult personal care and welfare attorney

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Consequences of not consulting

19

Consequences for persons dealing with attorney

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Financially support personal care and welfare attorney

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Keep financial records

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Consequences of not complying with duty to keep financial records

20

Provide information on exercise of powers

20

Consequences of not complying with duty to provide information:

20

Duties on disclaimer

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EPA for personal care and welfare

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Act in best interests

21

Consider financial implications of decisions

22

Duty to consult

22

Options in regard to advice

22

Mutual duty to consult property attorney

23

Consequences of not consulting

23

Consequences for persons dealing with attorney

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Regard for advance directives

23

Not to act on certain matters

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Provide information on exercise of powers

25

Consequences of not complying with duty to provide information

25

Duties on disclaimer

25

WHEN CAN AN ATTORNEY ACT

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Current position

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Changes made by the Amendment Act

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EPA in relation to property

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When can an attorney act

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Mentally incapable defined

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Presumption of competence

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Transitional matters

28

EPA in relation to personal care and welfare

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When can attorney act

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Significant matters

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Other matters

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When mental capacity is determined

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Incapacity because of indefinite health condition

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Incapacity because of temporary health condition

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Mentally incapable defined

30

Presumption of competence

31

Transitional matters

31

Medical certification of mental incapacity by relevant health practitioner

31

Donor’s options as to assessment

32

Form of certificate

32

Cost of medical assessments and examinations

32

When an attorney under an EPA cannot act

33

Suspension of attorney’s power to act

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Court may revoke appointment of attorney

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Court to revoke attorney’s appointment

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When EPA ceases to have effect

34

Position where successive attorneys

34

POWERS OF THE FAMILY COURT

37

COURT APPROVED WILLS

41

ATTORNEY’S POWER TO BENEFIT SELF OR OTHERS

45

Current position

45

Changes made by Amendment Act

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General prohibition on acting to benefit of attorney or other person unless authorised by EPA

 

 or court

45

TRANSITIONAL provisions and review

47

Transitional provisions

47

EPAs not yet in effect

47

EPAs in effect

47

Review of Amendment Act

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GUIDELINES FOR COUNSEL FOR THE SUBJECT PERSON

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