When a loved one loses capacity without having signed a power of attorney, the family cannot simply step in. They have to go through guardianship.
If a person becomes mentally incapable and never signed a valid power of attorney, no family member automatically has the authority to manage their finances or make care decisions. Banks will not simply hand over control because you are the spouse or the child.
The family must apply for guardianship of property or of the person, a court process that involves the Public Guardian and Trustee, medical evidence of incapacity, a management plan, and ongoing accountability. It is slower, more expensive and more intrusive than a power of attorney would have been.
If a loved one has already lost capacity without a power of attorney, guardianship may be the only path, and getting it underway properly, with advice, is the fastest way to restore someone's ability to help.
Immigration, family, corporate or cross-border. We will tell you honestly what can be done, and what cannot.
Book a Consultation当亲人在没有签署授权书的情况下丧失能力时，家人不能径直接手，而必须走“监护”这条路。
如果一个人丧失心智能力、却从未签署有效授权书，那么没有任何家庭成员会“自动”拥有管理其财务、或作出护理决定的权限。银行不会仅因为你是配偶或子女，就把控制权交给你。
家人必须申请“财产监护”或“人身监护”，这是一个涉及“公共监护与受托人办公室(PGT)”、丧失能力的医疗证据、一份管理计划、以及持续问责的法院程序。它比一份授权书本可提供的，更慢、更贵、也更具侵入性。
如果亲人已在没有授权书的情况下丧失能力，监护可能是唯一的路，而带着专业意见、把它妥善启动，是最快恢复某人“能够帮忙”之能力的方式。