Planning ahead | Health Navigator NZ

Living with a terminal illness means that at some stage you’ll need to start planning for a future when you might need someone to take over the decision making for you.

It’s a good idea to spend time organising legal documents such as an Enduring Power of Attorney and a will to make sure you and your family will be taken care of after your death.

Planning ahead also means thinking about what’s important to you regarding your quality of life in your last few days and how and where you’d like to be cared for.

What’s an Enduring Power of Attorney?

An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a person you’ve nominated to make decisions on your behalf if you’re no longer able to.

You should choose someone you trust who’ll make decisions in your best interest and make sure your wishes about how you’re cared for are followed.

You can nominate one EPA who’ll look after your property and financial interests and one EPA to oversee your personal care and welfare, or you can nominate one person to look after everything on your behalf.

An Enduring Power of Attorney document needs to be signed while you’re mentally capable. The EPA for your personal care and welfare only comes into effect when you become unable to make decisions, but your property EPA can come into effect whenever you decide – either as soon as the document is signed or only if you become mentally incapable.

Deciding who will be your EPA is an important decision and there are rules about who must witness the document being signed. For more information, visit the New Zealand Law Society website.

What’s a will?

A will is a legal document that includes your instructions about what you’d like to happen to your property and possessions when you die. It also contains information about how you’d like any dependents you have, eg your spouse and children, looked after. A will should be written in consultation with a lawyer.

If you die without having a will, your property will be divided up between your spouse/partner, children and/or immediate family members in set amounts. You won’t have any control over who gets what and it could cause issues for family members.

Your will can also contain the wishes you have for your children and if you’re a solo parent with young children, who you’d like to care for them when you die.

For more information on making a will, visit the New Zealand Law Society website.

What do I do if I don’t have a lawyer?

Using a lawyer to help you organise your legal documents will cost you money, but it can save your family time and money after your death.

If you don’t have a lawyer:

ask friends and family for a recommendation
contact the Citizens Advice Bureau
contact the Law Society of New Zealand.

What’s advance care planning?

Advance care planning is a way to communicate to others how you’d like to be cared for if you become unwell or if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. If you’re receiving palliative care, it’s a great idea to have your wishes written down so family, friends and healthcare providers know what’s important to you. You don’t need a lawyer for an advance care plan but it’s a good idea to let your family know what’s contained in it or where to find it. Your palliative care team can offer assistance when writing your advance care plan.

What’s an advance directive?

An advance directive (also known as a living will) is a written document that states what medical decisions you’d like made if you’re unable to communicate your wishes. Often it lists when you’d like medical treatment withheld. It’s best to plan your advance directive with the help of your GP.

What other documents do I need to organise?

It’s a good idea to have all your personal documents in one place to help your family after your death. Your EPA or a trusted family member should know where they’re kept or who to contact to access them.

Important documents include:

copy of your will
birth certificate
insurance, investment, mortgage and property documents
online accounts – including passwords to access them and social media accounts to close
funeral instructions.