Words by Michyla How
Thinking about the 'what-ifs' is never easy, but don't make the same gamble I did, believing, "that'll never happen to me".
At 28, my world changed in an instant. I found myself in the hospital, fighting for my life just six weeks after a diagnosis I never saw coming.
While I was bedridden, I needed my family to step in, help with my finances, and take over responsibilities I could no longer physically manage, but because I hadn't set up an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), they were powerless to do anything to help.
Without an EPA, if you ever do lose capacity, temporary or otherwise, there is no default relative who can make decisions on your behalf — not even a spouse or partner. Instead, an urgent application to the Family Court must be made. This is costly, time-consuming, and stressful.
So, future-proof yourself by putting an EPA in place. Hopefully, you'll never need it! But much like insurance, it's there just in case. Because life is unpredictable: incapacitating accidents, head injuries or unexpected illnesses can happen to anyone, at any time.
An EPA is a legal document that allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. There are two main types:
This grants your chosen person the authority to manage your money, property or possessions. When I was unexpectedly hospitalised and unable to work, an EPA would have enabled my mum to apply for financial support on my behalf — one less weight off my shoulders.
This gives someone the power to make critical decisions about your medical care and living arrangements if you've lost capacity (as deemed by a medical professional). Imagine suffering a severe accident, your appointed attorney would be the one liaising with doctors and making those vital healthcare choices for you.
An EPA isn't just paperwork; it's the peace of mind that someone can step in when life takes unexpected turns.
When I got sick and spent a long time in the hospital, an EPA would have eliminated the burden of managing my affairs during my first flare-up. I live with Crohn's disease, and while I'm fine now, I've since set up both EPA's and my Will so I can relax knowing my family will never be put in that situation again. In my experience, you can never be too young to prepare for the unexpected.
The irony of my story is I'm now a lawyer who specialises in Enduring Powers of Attorney, I'm incredibly passionate about helping others protect themselves and their families. Sometimes it takes a personal challenge to change your perspective.
"Preparing for the unexpected is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your loved ones. This can greatly reduce the stress of those you leave behind and minimise the risk of tension or conflict within your family. We have a dedicated and very experienced team who can assist clients to achieve the peace of mind which comes from having your affairs in order." —Catherine Grogan (GQ Partner)