Power of Attorney: The One-Stop Guide

All you need to know: granting it, using it or relying on it

What readers of the book are saying

Reviews

“First reported on radio Scotland and a must-read for every adult. The author is best placed to advise about this often confusing documentation. Highly readable, but not a bedside book. Pop it in with your paperwork, then get on with your life!”
— 5* Amazon Review
“An excellent one-stop guide. I am buying a copy for each of my appointed attorneys for reference. As an attorney myself for a family member, I found it easy to follow and a salutary reminder of my responsibilities if or when the time comes.”
— 5* Amazon Review

‘Power of Attorney’: The One-Stop Guide?

What’s in the book

One of the most powerful ways we can care for our future is to create a Power of Attorney. This simple document allows an appointed person to make decisions for us in the case that we can no longer do so ourselves. But what does it mean to be someone's attorney? And how can it be set up?

This book is designed to offer clear, practical advice for anyone making this decision, or needing to exercise their rights. Drawing on over two decades of professional and personal experience, Sandra McDonald explains everything that you need to know about Power of Attorney, including:

  • how to create the legal document

  • how to implement it

  • dealing with others and safeguarding

The result is an invaluable resource for anyone who is, has or deals with a Power of Attorney.

Contents

Introduction

Common terminologies

  1. What is a Power of Attorney and why is it important?

  2. Deciding what powers to offer in a Power of Attorney

  3. How to decide on your Attorney

  4. How to make a Power of Attorney

  5. Registering your Power of Attorney and what to do next

  6. Deciding whether you want to be an Attorney

  7. Supporting decision-making and respecting rights, will and preferences

  8. Knowing when a Power of Attorney can be used: the art of determining capacity and incapacity

  9. The legal principles that everyone must respect

  10. Being an Attorney

  11. Managing financial, property and care decisions

  12. Managing communication, confidentiality and conflict

  13. Working with an Attorney

Resources and helpful organisations

Acknowledgements