The “enduring power of attorney” was developed to get around the annoying problem that under the common law, a power of attorney ended when the person’s capacity to grant the power ended (due to dementia or substantial chronic ill-health).

Medical advances are extending our physical life but not yet our mental acuity, so there are many people living longer with dementia needing a valid power of attorney during that period. So the EPOA was born in all states and territories in Australia. Every adult should have one.