Powers of attorney: prepare the decisions before the documents

01 / Practical step

Describe the decisions you want covered

Make separate headings for financial and legal matters, personal matters and healthcare wishes. Write down the kinds of decisions you are concerned about without choosing a form first. Ask the lawyer which documents and arrangements are relevant in your jurisdiction. Moneysmart provides a national overview, but the adviser needs to assess your circumstances and explain the effect of the proposed documents.

02 / Practical step

Think about the people involved

List the people you are considering and the practical questions you have about their availability, willingness and ability to carry out the role. If more than one person is proposed, ask how they would act and what happens if one cannot continue. Discuss conflicts or concerns openly with the adviser. The meeting should clarify the proposed arrangement rather than assume that the closest relative is automatically the most suitable choice.

03 / Practical step

Bring existing documents and interstate connections

Tell the lawyer about earlier powers, wills, healthcare documents or appointments and where they were made. Ask which originals or copies it needs. Explain property or living arrangements in another jurisdiction where relevant. Do not discard an earlier document or assume that a new one automatically deals with every previous arrangement. Ask the adviser to explain what changes, what remains and how the final documents should be stored and communicated.

04 / Practical step

Make the consultation accessible and independent

Tell the office if you need an interpreter, an accessible meeting format or another communication adjustment. If someone helps arrange the appointment, ask how the lawyer will obtain your own instructions. Raise any pressure or disagreement about the proposed documents. A directory cannot assess capacity or suitability, and the availability of an online form does not answer whether it fits the person’s situation.

05 / Practical step

Illustrative example: different kinds of decisions

A person asks for “one document so my sister can help with everything”. Before booking, they list financial tasks, healthcare wishes and questions about living arrangements. The lawyer is asked to explain which documents and appointments address those concerns locally and what the proposed fee covers. The invented example avoids assuming that a single form provides all authority. It also makes review, preparation and completion arrangements explicit.

• Decision categories and priorities
• People you are considering
• Existing documents and their jurisdictions
• Questions about when authority operates
• Storage, communication and review questions

06 / Practical step

Ask about life after the signing appointment

Request an explanation of where originals should be kept, who should know about the documents and when a review may be useful. If your circumstances or the availability of a chosen person changes, ask for advice rather than editing the executed document yourself. Confirm whether the quoted service includes explaining the completed documents and any copies or follow-up arrangements. Preparation is more useful when it includes how the documents will be understood later.