Advance healthcare directive, power of attorney, guardianship directive, will. Three of them act while you are alive; only one afterwards. People who have just one usually have exactly the wrong one.
It acts while you are alive and unable to speak — the case that comes first and is overlooked most often. What it must contain for doctors to be allowed to follow it.
Who may act for you when you cannot — at the bank, with authorities, in hospital? Without one, a court decides who does.
The fallback when no power of attorney exists: it names who the court should appoint as your guardian — and who explicitly should not.
It only takes effect after death, and it governs assets, not access. Why it is precisely not the answer to a digital legacy.
We explain what each document is for and in what order it makes sense. This is not legal advice and does not replace it: whether a particular wording holds in your case can only be answered by someone who knows your case. For larger estates and for guardianship questions, money spent on a notary or solicitor is money well spent.
Start with one account, one document or one message. Small steps today can make a huge difference for your loved ones tomorrow.
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