A Power of Enduring Guardianship is not to be confused with a Power of Attorney.

An Attorney is delegated to handle the financial affairs of the person who bestows the power. Whilst we all prefer to decide for ourselves where we live and what medical treatment and services we have, this is not always possible. People can be involved in accidents or become sick. and this prevents them from being unable to make decisions for themselves.

A person appointed under a Power of Enduring Guardianship is delegated to make personal or lifestyle decisions for the person who bestowed the power when they are not capable of making those decisions for themself.

The functions of the Guardian and when those functions can be carried out can be stipulated in the instrument that creates the power. Some of the more important points in Enduring Guardianship include:

     * You must be over 18 to appoint an enduring guardian.

     * You must have the capacity to understand what you are doing when you appoint an Enduring Guardian..

     * The enduring guardian must be at least 18 years old.

     * You cannot appoint those who provide care or support services on a professional basis, or their relatives.

     * Marriage automatically revokes the appointment of an enduring guardian.

     * Enduring guardianship ends when you die, or when you revoke the appointment.

   *  Enduring guardianship takes effect only if you become unable to make your own personal or lifestyle decisions.