Enduring Power of Attorney

持久授權書

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

什麼是持久授權書？

An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.

持久授權書是一份法律文件，讓您可委任一位您信任的人，在您無法自行作出決定時，代您作出決定。

You are called the principal.

您稱為授權人（Principal）。

The person you appoint is your attorney.

您所委任的人稱為受權人（Attorney）。

The power is called “enduring” because it continues even if you lose decision-making capacity—for example, due to illness, injury, or dementia.

此授權被稱為「持久」授權，是因為即使您因疾病、受傷或認知障礙症等原因失去決策能力，授權仍然持續有效。

What decisions can an attorney make?

受權人可以作出哪些決定？

Depending on how the document is prepared, your attorney may make decisions about:

視乎授權書內容如何設定，您的受權人可代您作出以下決定：

• Financial matters relating to your financial or property affairs. Examples include managing bank accounts, paying bills, dealing with property, or managing investments;

  與您的財務或資產有關之事項，例如管理銀行帳戶、支付帳單、處理物業或投資等；
  

• Personal matters relating to your personal or lifestyle affairs, excluding medical treatment decisions. Examples include where you live, the care or services you receive, and day-to-day personal decisions.

  與您的個人或生活安排有關之事項（但不包括醫療治療決定），例如居住安排、接受之照顧或服務，以及日常生活決定。

You remain in control while you have decision-making capacity.

只要您仍具決策能力，所有決定仍由您本人作出。

Your attorney will only act when the document permits them to do so, or when you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.

您的受權人只會在授權文件允許之情況下，或當您無法自行作出決定時，代您行事。

Jointly or Severally?

共同或各別行事（Jointly or Severally）

In an Enduring Power of Attorney, “jointly or severally” describes how multiple attorneys may act.

在持久授權書中，「共同或各別行事（jointly or severally）」是指多名受權人如何行使權力。

To act jointly means the attorneys must make decisions and sign together.

「共同（jointly）」行事，表示所有受權人必須共同作出決定及共同簽署。

To act severally means each attorney may act independently.

「各別（severally）」行事，表示每名受權人均可單獨作出決定及行事。

Accordingly, appointing attorneys “jointly or severally” allows each attorney to act either independently or together. This provides flexibility and may avoid delays if one attorney is unavailable.

因此，委任受權人以「共同或各別」方式行事，代表每位受權人均可單獨或共同代表您行事。此安排較具彈性，亦可避免因其中一名受權人未能處理事項而導致延誤。

Why does it matter?

為何持久授權書重要？

An Enduring Power of Attorney is about choice and protection.

持久授權書的核心，在於自主選擇及保障。

If you lose decision-making capacity without an Enduring Power of Attorney, decisions about your financial or personal affairs may be made:

如您在沒有持久授權書的情況下失去決策能力，您的財務或個人事務可能會：

• Be decided by a person appointed by a tribunal, rather than someone chosen by you; and

  由法庭或審裁處委任之人士處理，而非由您親自選擇的人；以及
  

• Be dealt with through a slower, more formal, and potentially more costly process.

  需經較緩慢、正式及可能涉及額外費用之程序處理。
  

An Enduring Power of Attorney allows you to decide in advance:

持久授權書讓您可預先決定：

• Who will act on your behalf;

  由誰代表您行事；
  

• What powers they will have; and

  其擁有哪些權力；以及
  

• Any conditions, limitations, or instructions they must follow.

  其必須遵守之任何條件、限制或指示。

Can it be changed?

是否可以更改？

Yes. As long as you have decision-making capacity, you may revoke or change your Enduring Power of Attorney at any time.

可以。只要您仍具決策能力，您可隨時撤銷或更改您的持久授權書（Enduring Power of Attorney）。