A General Power or Ordinary of Attorney is typically used for short-term or specific purposes. Key features:
Scope of Authority
Grants someone (the attorney) authority to manage your financial affairs and make decisions on your behalf for a specific period or purpose. For example, you can grant authority to a family member in another country to buy or sell property on your behalf, or you can authorise them to handle a legal or business matter on your behalf, if you cannot be physically present.
Usually used when you are temporarily unable to manage your affairs due to travel, illness, or other reasons.
End of Authority
Ends automatically if you become mentally incapacitated or lose the mental capacity to make decisions.
Ceases to be valid once you lose mental capacity.
Legal Restrictions
- Cannot be used to make decisions regarding health and welfare matters.
- Limited in scope and duration based on the specific instructions outlined in the document.
- May need to be renewed repeatedly if the task cannot be completed in the time allowed.
Common Uses
Managing financial transactions, paying bills, collecting benefits, and handling property matters while you are temporarily unavailable.