POA - The One Legal Document Everyone Ignores (Until It’s Too Late)

Your mum just had a stroke. She can’t speak, can’t sign documents, and suddenly you’re standing in the bank trying to explain that you just need to pay her bills.

But the teller shakes their head.
You’re not on the account.
You have no authority.
The power’s about to be cut off — and there’s nothing you can do.

Sounds dramatic, right?
It happens every single day.

And the worst part? It’s 100% preventable.

So... What Is a Power of Attorney, Really?

Let’s skip the legal jargon.

A Power of Attorney is basically a document that lets someone you trust make decisions or handle things on your behalf if you can’t. Think of it as a “just in case” plan — because life doesn’t always give us a heads-up.

There are two main types:

• General Power of Attorney – used for specific situations, like when you’re overseas and need someone to sign something for you.

• Enduring Power of Attorney – this one keeps going even if you lose capacity (like after an accident, stroke, or illness). This is the real MVP.

Without one, your family might have to go to court just to manage your finances or pay your bills. And trust me — that process is slow, stressful, and expensive.

Why Most People Don’t Have One (and Why That’s a Problem)

I get it — no one wants to think about what could go wrong. We tell ourselves:

“I’m too young for that.”
“My family will handle it.”
“It won’t happen to me.”

But here’s the thing — life doesn’t care how old you are or how organised your inbox is.

Having a Power of Attorney doesn’t mean you’re expecting disaster. It means you’re prepared, just in case. It’s like wearing a seatbelt — you don’t put it on because you expect to crash, you put it on because it’s smart.

Who Should You Appoint?

Here’s where it gets tricky — it’s not always about who you love most.

You need someone you trust completely, who’s reliable, level-headed, and good with money. Sometimes that’s your partner or adult child. Sometimes… it’s not.

You can even appoint more than one person, or set it up so they have to agree on decisions together. It’s flexible — and that’s the beauty of it.

The Simple Way to Sort It

Getting a Power of Attorney doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

At Aqua Legal & Conveyancing, we help clients put everything in place quickly, clearly, and with zero legal mumbo-jumbo. We explain it in plain English (and we might even make you laugh once or twice in the process).

You’ll walk away knowing that if life throws a curveball, your family won’t be stuck in legal limbo.

🎧 Listen & Learn More

This blog only scratches the surface.
In this episode of The StacyM Show, I break down exactly how a Power of Attorney works, the mistakes people make, and what you can do today to protect yourself and your family.

Listen now: www.stacymunzenberger.com/podcast 
Ready to get yours sorted? Book a free 15-minute chat with Aqua Legal 

“A Power of Attorney isn’t just for old people — it’s for anyone who wants to make sure their life doesn’t turn into a legal nightmare.”