What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is as important for life planning as making a Will. Many people prepare a Will but do not give the same consideration to appointing an attorney until it is too late. Appointing an attorney gives your attorney the legal authority to look after your financial affairs on your behalf.
You can appoint an attorney to act for you in a variety of circumstances such as an extended interstate or overseas trip, or for a time when you are no longer able to manage your affairs. Public Trustee NSW is able to act as your attorney and can help you identify the type of attorney service that suits your needs.
Public Trustee NSW provides Power of Attorney so you can appoint an independent, impartial and skilled asset manager to manage your financial affairs.
Power of Attorney offers three levels of planned assistance:
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Future Assist
: A Power of Attorney designed to provide you with a safety net should unforseen events occur;
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Funds Assist
: A safe account to secure your savings providing a net return of 6.00%* for amounts over $100,000.
*Current actual rate 6.75% less 0.75% annual tax deductible management fee.
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Active Assist
: A Power of Attorney where you are able to choose the level of assistance you require.
These three levels enable your attorney to manage for your financial affairs as it suits you and when you need it.
There are many reasons to consider using a Power of Attorney:
- you may wish to be free of the day to day demands of financial paperwork and record keeping;
- you may want to place funds in a secure, Government guaranteed account with interest calculated daily and flexible access;
- you may be going overseas or around Australia and don’t want to deal with these affairs while you’re away;
- you may not wish to burden a family member or friend with the responsibility of looking after your financial affairs;
- or you may simply find the demands of financial management have become too much for you to handle on your own.
Where Do I Start?
Public Trustee NSW has 18 branches and also the Registrars of the Local Court who act as our agents throughout NSW.
Should you have any further questions relating to Powers of Attorney or wish to make an appointment to take out a Power of Attorney with the Public Trustee you can contact your nearest branch of the Public Trustee by calling 1300 364 103.