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Powers of Attorney Lawyer Melbourne

Appoint the Right People to Make the Right Decisions – When You Can’t

Legal Authority You Can Trust in Times of Uncertainty

A Power of Attorney is a powerful legal tool. It allows someone you trust to make crucial decisions on your behalf if you become sick, injured, overseas, or otherwise unable to act for yourself. Whether financial, personal, or medical, this authority must be structured with precision - because your peace of mind, assets and well-being depend on it

At Kelly & Chapman Lawyers

we’ve helped clients across Melbourne’s southeast create, update and revoke Powers of Attorney for over five decades. We ensure your documents are legally valid, clearly worded, and reflect your wishes without ambiguity or risk.

Powers of Attorney

• Essential for seniors, those with health risks, overseas travellers, or people planning to travel.

• It is a legal document authorising another person to act on your behalf in financial, medical or lifestyle matters.

• Must comply with the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (Vic) and related laws.

• Comes in various forms, including General Power of Attorney, Enduring Power of Attorney (for financial or personal matters), and Medical Treatment Decision Maker.

• Can prevent delays, confusion and conflict during emergencies or incapacity.

Why Choose Our Power of Attorney Lawyers

At Kelly & Chapman, we understand how sensitive these decisions can be. We provide clear advice, draft airtight documents, and ensure you know every step - no jargon, no confusion.

We Offer:

  • Personalised legal advice based on your circumstances
  • Enduring and medical powers of attorney compliant with Victorian law
  • Help choosing suitable attorneys and setting clear limits on authority
  • Execution with correct witnessing, formalities and certificates
  • Safe document storage and ongoing updates if needed

When You Need a Power of Attorney

1. You’re Planning for the Future

Health can change. Life can surprise us. Creating a Power of Attorney ensures that your bills are paid, your decisions respected, and your medical care managed - even if you lose capacity.

We help you prepare now to protect your future.

2. You’re Travelling or Moving Overseas

If you’ll be outside Australia and need someone to handle your affairs, such as banking, contracts, and property settlements, a General Power of Attorney gives temporary, secure authority.

We ensure it’s correctly timed and limited for your protection.

3. You’re Caring for an Elderly Parent or Relative

Many families act too late. By the time someone loses capacity, it’s often too late to make a Power of Attorney, and VCAT may need to appoint a guardian or administrator.

We help your loved ones stay in control by acting early.

4. You Want to Control Who Makes Medical Decisions

By appointing a Medical Treatment Decision Maker, you nominate the person who will speak for you on care, treatment and end-of-life choices - if you can’t speak for yourself.

We help you align this appointment with your values and care plans.

5. You’re Updating Wills, Estates or Legal Documents

A Power of Attorney complements your Will. It ensures continuity and legal authority during your lifetime, while your Will takes effect after death.

We draft both to ensure complete alignment of wishes and legal protection.

Our Powers of Attorney Process

Consultation

We discuss your goals, health status, concerns and potential attorneys. We advise on legal types of authority and their suitability

Drafting the Documents

We prepare clear, legally sound documents tailored to your needs, including:
• Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial/Personal)
• Medical Treatment Decision Maker appointment
• General Power of Attorney (time-limited)

Signing and Witnessing

We oversee the execution, ensuring the correct witnesses are present and the statutory certificate is signed. This is essential for enforceability.

Storage and Copies

We provide certified copies and recommend safe storage. We can also hold the original securely at our office if you wish.

Future Support

Do you need to update, revoke, or activate the document? We assist at any stage, with clarity and legal certainty.

Why Kelly & Chapman for Powers of Attorney in Melbourne

Clients have trusted us with critical life documents since 1966. We bring:

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Over 50 years of estate planning and elder law experience

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Convenient Bentleigh office with free parking

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Multilingual service in Greek, Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian

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Trusted by generations of Melbourne families

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Clear, respectful guidance in sensitive family situations

We’ve helped thousands of Victorians protect their dignity, choices, and financial future.

Types of Powers of Attorney We Draft

Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial & Personal)
Grants ongoing decision-making power, even if you lose mental capacity.

Medical Treatment Decision Maker
Legally appoints someone to make medical decisions if you’re unable to.

General Power of Attorney
Gives specific, short-term authority (e.g. while overseas) and ends if you lose capacity.

Support Person Appointment (optional)
Enables someone to access information and assist you (but not make decisions).

We ensure that your documents are clear, enforceable, and accurately reflect your intentions.

What Our Clients Say

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Very friendly and professionally experienced.

Manoj Reddy
Manoj Reddy
06-06-2022
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We highly recommend Kelly and Chapman Lawyers. Misko Vujnovic, Lawyer and Susan Gale-Phillips, Conveyancer were fabulous in their efficient, professional but caring and friendly assistance at a difficult time for us. They both made us very comfortable and explained everything with great patience and made things so easy for us. They were in constant contact with us and if we had a question it was answered very promptly, even outside normal business hours. Their professionalism was excellent.

Del A
Del A
12-05-2022

Frequently Asked Questions About Powers of Attorney

What’s the difference between a Will and a Power of Attorney?

A Will takes effect after death. A Power of Attorney applies during life, when you’re unable to act or want someone else to act on your behalf.

Can I appoint more than one attorney?

Yes. You can appoint multiple attorneys to act jointly or separately, depending on your preferences.

What happens if I lose capacity without a Power of Attorney?

A family member or friend must apply to VCAT for legal authority, a slower, more expensive, and less personal process.

Can I change my Power of Attorney at a later time?

Yes. As long as you have decision-making capacity, you can revoke or update your document at any time.

Does it need to be registered?

No registration is required in Victoria; however, correct witnessing and execution are essential for the document to be valid and accepted.

Make a Plan That Protects You - and Your Family

Don’t leave decisions to chance. Create a Power of Attorney that gives you certainty, security and peace of mind - for now and later.

Contact Kelly & Chapman Lawyers

Serving clients in East Brighton, Brighton, Hampton, Cheltenham, Highett, Oakleigh, Caulfield, Clayton, Chadstone, Bentleigh, Carnegie and across Melbourne’s southeast.