Planning Documents

What is a will?

A Will is legal document by which you appoint someone to administer your property and affairs after you die. That person is your Executor. Your will informs and directs your executor what to do with your property.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document by which you appoint someone to deal with your property in your absence, while you are still alive. That person is your attorney. While you are competent, your attorney must follow your instructions. If you lose mental capacity, your attorney must deal with your property in your best interests only.

What is a Personal Directive?

A Personal Directive is a legal document by which you appoint someone to make decisions for you concerning your health and well-being when you have lost mental capacity.

What is a Probate?

When someone dies with a will, the person appointed in the will as Executor may apply Court to have the will and their appointment validated. When no will exists, or a will is invalid, someone must apply and be approved by the Court to act as the Administrator of a person's property. The process by which all this happens is referred to as probate