Durable POA & Guardianship

You can decide how your money and health should be managed should you chas Vshalom become incapacitated.

A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you choose who will make decisions for you if you become cognitively unable to do so yourself. While you are healthy and of sound mind, you can appoint people you trust to manage your personal, financial, and/or medical matters.

Rena headed the Welfare and Social Services department of the Bet Shemesh Municipality during her term as deputy mayor and can guide you and your family through not only the legal aspects of Guardianship, Durable Powers of Attorney and other aspects of planning for the future or dealing with an elderly or incapacitated relative, but also in navigating the welfare system. She can assist with cases involving the appointment of a guardian or advise your family on the best path to choose when you or a loved one needs assistance.

Why is it important to have a Durable POA?

Durable POA’s enable you to be the decision maker for your future- you can determine who should take care of you and how. This prevents family disputes, gives you control over how you are taken care of, and what happens to your property should you become incapacitated chas v’echalila. They provide your family with the certainty and knowledge of what you want.

If I already have a DPOA abroad, do I need one here?

Durable POA from other countries can be very difficult to have recognized in Israel. An Israeli Durable POA is necessary to manage affairs like Israeli bank accounts or property in Israel.

You can give your chosen representative the power to handle things in three main areas:

• Money and Property: Managing your bank accounts, assets, and other financial matters.
• Personal Matters: Taking care of your daily needs and personal well-being.
• Medical Issues: Making healthcare decisions for you.

You can pick different people to handle each area, and you can also name backups. While you can appoint someone who lives outside of Israel, it is something to think about carefully because of the practical challenges. It’s important to know that a DPOA doesn’t cover end-of-life medical decisions. For that, it is highly recommended that you also complete a separate document called an Advanced Medical Directive, which is approved by the Ministry of Health. This makes sure your final wishes for your care are carried out.

The DPOA must be prepared and filed by a qualified Israeli attorney who has been officially trained and certified to draft and file DPOAs. Rena Hollander participated in one of the first training courses and has been preparing DPOAs for clients for years. Using her training in mediation and conflict resolution, Rena has experience and expertise in navigating complex family relations and personal issues that could arise during the process

Guardianship – If you or a loved one has become incognative and unable to manage their own affairs and a Durable POA was not put in place in advance, the court will appoint a guardian. Our law firm has broad experience in assisting families through the process of appointing and implementing guardianship.