Importance of Powers of Attorney

Power of Attorney: The Ultimate Legal Wingman/Wingwoman 

Jane was involved in a car accident which was not her fault and was in her 30s at the time with young children. Unfortunately, she had not appointed anyone to act on her behalf in case of an emergency. When she became incapacitated, her unmarried partner contacted Aurora Assist for assistance.

As her partner was not married to Jane, he was not in a position to make decisions on her behalf, which led to a highly contentious situation. Jane's estranged family members, who were Jehovah's Witnesses, were opposed to certain medical treatments due to their religious beliefs, which conflicted with the necessary medical treatment Jane required.

As a result, the situation became highly contentious and eventually escalated to the point where Jane's family members had to go through court proceedings to gain legal authority to make decisions on her behalf. The process was not only time-consuming and stressful, but it also incurred high legal costs.

This case highlights the importance of having a Power of Attorney in place, particularly if there are any unique circumstances or potential conflicts regarding decision-making. By appointing a trusted individual to act on your behalf, you can have peace of mind knowing that your affairs are being handled according to your wishes. This can also help avoid potential conflicts between family members or other parties, particularly if there are any religious or personal beliefs that may impact decision-making.

Names have been changed to protect identities.