No matter what your age, having powers of attorney in place to look after you, and manage your affairs and if you are unable, is wise planning. A power of attorney is a written authority a person gives to another person or persons (the attorney/s) to act on their behalf. There are two types of power of attorney – an ordinary power of attorney valid only while a donor has mental capacity to make decisions, and the more common enduring power of attorney (“EPA”) valid even when