Estate planning allows you to decide who will look after you when you can no longer make decisions for yourself, and to decide who will receive your property after you pass away. It also allows you to name someone who you would like to care for your minor children if both you and your partner pass away.
Powers of attorney and guardianship allow you to appoint someone to make decisions for you in the future when you are still alive but lose capacity, for example if you were to go into a coma or have dementia.
In contrast, Wills allow you to decide who will receive your property when you have passed away.
There is also another document, which is known as an advance health directive, which allows you to give detailed instructions on how you would like to be treated.
Estate planning is when you decide what happens to you and your property when you can no longer do it yourself.
You can make a Will, a power of attorney, a power of guardianship, and an advance health directive.
Planning your estate allows you to make sure your health and property stay in the right hands.