Personal Directives & Enduring Power of Attorney – Choosing someone to make decisions on your behalf
What would happen if you were to fall ill and unable to make decisions on your behalf? Who would step in to make choices surrounding your health and your estate?
Life can change at any moment.
Understanding Personal Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney in Alberta
By asking yourself difficult questions about your future, you are protecting your family from heartbreak and stress if you unexpectedly fall ill or become injured.
If you are ready to begin your estate planning, our experienced estate lawyers are here to help.
Our services are client-focused. We take a kind approach in planning and preparing matters such as personal directives and enduring power of attorney because we understand how overwhelming this process can feel.
Personal Directives vs Enduring Power of Attorney
What is an enduring power of attorney (EPA)?
Enduring power of attorney (EPA) is an agreement between you and someone you trust that would allow them to make critical financial decisions on your behalf if you were no longer able to do so. Our lawyers advise clients to be proactive in designating this vital role, as planning ahead can save a significant amount of stress and emotional turmoil.
If you do not have an agreement in place, a friend or family member would have to go to court to become your trustee. This can be a very costly and time-consuming process, and the responsibility may be taken up by someone you may not want in the role.
At the end of the day, an EPA is an integral part of estate planning. It is essential to give a great deal of thought and consideration in establishing this critical document’s details. Our team of trusted Calgary estate lawyers are here to help.
What about personal directives?
We often hear questions regarding the differences between a personal directive and an enduring power of attorney. Here in Alberta, we do not have a living will—we have personal directives. These important legal documents will outline your wishes if you ever suffer from a severe injury or illness.
This sounds very similar to an EPA, but with a personal directive, the individual you appoint could make decisions regarding:
- Medical treatments
- Where and who you would want to live with
- Choices regarding your recreation, employment, and education
In short, all decisions regarding matters that are not financial would be outlined in a personal directive.
Ask us about Personal Directives or Enduring Power of Attorney
Although personal directives and EPA seem similar, individually, they both play an essential and unique role in estate planning. If you are ready to begin making arrangements for your EPA and personal directives, your dedicated estate lawyers are here to guide you through the process.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding personal directives & enduring power of attorney. Call us at 403-283-8018 or fill out the online contact form for more details.
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