FAQs

A Will ensures that your family’s needs are met according to your wishes when you die. Without one, you rely on legal procedures to distribute your assets. This more complicated and time-consuming process may cause… (read more about why you should have a Will) Have you ever considered what may happen if you were overseas or temporarily unable to deal with your own financial or property matters? Many of our clients opt to sign a Power of Attorney. This is… (read more about why you should have a Power of Attorney) If you were suddenly injured or too ill to make your own personal and lifestyle decisions, who would make those decisions for you? A stranger or someone picked by the state? An Enduring Power of Guardianship is… (read more about why you should have an Enduring Power of Guardianship)

Have you ever considered what may happen if you were overseas or temporarily unable to deal with your own financial or property matters? Many of our clients opt to sign a Power of Attorney. This is a legal document which gives authority to another person to manage your business and personal affairs when you are unable to do so. It is especially useful in circumstances if you were to suddenly fall ill or where you might be temporarily absent. A Power of Attorney can be drafted to cover various circumstances such as authorising a close friend or family member to sign a document on your behalf or sell your property. This means banks and other authorities would follow their instructions whilst you are unavailable. A Power of Attorney can be used for most business and financial purposes, including the authorisation of someone to:-

• Collect your debts
• Vote at meetings
• Operate your bank account
• Pay your bills
• Sell your property or other personal items
• Carry out any other function which can be lawfully delegated

You can appoint more than one person to be your attorney; responsibility does not have to rest with just one person. For those with no immediate family or who do not trust their family, some of our clients find it preferable to appoint a legal representative as power of attorney along with a family member. This acts as a reassuring security measure that your affairs will be conducted in a proper manner. A Power of Attorney can give you choice and control. Without a Power of Attorney, your home, business, or finances can be in a state of uncertainty if you are not available to make decisions. To arrange for a Power of Attorney to be prepared, contact us to arrange an appointment!

A Will ensures that your family’s needs are met according to your wishes when you die. Without one, you rely on legal procedures to distribute your assets. This more complicated and time-consuming process may cause hardship, delays and greater expenses for your loved ones. To guarantee that your assets are inherited by the people you want, contact us to arrange an appointment. We particularly encourage property owners to make a Will. For most people, your house is your biggest asset and so it is important that those you want to inherit are protected. Your Will can be designed to suit your individual circumstances so that:-

• The Guardianship of your Children is taken care of
• Children from a previous marriage are provided for
• Children with special needs are provided for
• Certain members of immediate family are excluded
• Your preferred funeral arrangements are made clear
• Your charitable objectives are achieved

Your Will should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it complies with your current wishes. Certain events in your life may require you to prepare a new Will such as entering into a new relationship or marriage, separation or divorce. Other events may make it prudent to review your existing Will such as birth or death of children, grandchildren or other close relatives or significant changes to the value of your assets. By making a Will, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have relieved your family of the burden of making decisions at a stressful time. Show your family you care – prepare a Will with Di Lizio & Associates.

If you were suddenly injured or too ill to make your own personal and lifestyle decisions, who would make those decisions for you? A stranger or someone picked by the state? An Enduring Power of Guardianship is a legal document where you can appoint someone to make choices relating to health and living for you. This may range from decisions relating to:-

• Where you live or any other arrangements relating to accommodation
• Who can visit you
• What kind of nursing or medical care you receive
• What kind of minor procedures (such as dental care) are carried out

This differs from a Power of Attorney because a Power of Attorney is confined to financial rather than lifestyle matters only. This document is especially useful in circumstances where a person, because of a disability, is totally, or partially incapable of managing him or herself. In the case of losing capacity, everyone needs someone to act on their behalf. If you ever become incapable of making decisions for whatever reason, your life can go on through whoever you appoint. Their power begins when you are unable to make decisions and their decisions have the same legal force as if you had made them yourself. We recommend our clients to have an Enduring Power of Guardianship because it is the only way you can have control over who will make lifestyle decisions on your behalf if you are ever unable to do so yourself. If for whatever reason you decide that the person you have appointed is to no longer act on your behalf, the Enduring Power of Guardianship can be cancelled at any time. To be eligible as a person’s guardian, you must be an adult with no financial interest in the position. An Enduring Power of Guardianship is essentially one way of planning for your own future and is especially important for people that live on their own or who have no immediate family. Contact us to find out more or arrange a consultation