Wills, Estates & Probate

Enduring Guardian

Also known as: medical treatment decision maker, advance care directive

In plain English

A person you appoint to make lifestyle, health and medical decisions for you if you can't make them yourself.

What it means

An enduring guardian is someone you appoint to make personal, lifestyle and medical decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity, covering matters like where you live and your healthcare. The terminology differs by jurisdiction (for example, 'medical treatment decision maker' in Victoria). Related to this is an advance care directive, a document recording your wishes about future medical treatment. Both are part of planning for incapacity and operate separately from a financial power of attorney.

How it's used

She appointed her partner as her enduring guardian to make medical and lifestyle decisions if she became unable to.

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