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Powers of Attorney Act 2006
39Express general authority to make gifts in enduring
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39 Express general authority to make gifts in enduring
(1) This section applies if an enduring power of attorney contains a
general authorisation to make gifts.
(2) A general authorisation to make gifts (however described) in an
enduring power of attorney authorises the following gifts:
(a) a gift made to a relative or close friend of the principal for a
celebration or special event;
(b) a gift that is a donation of a kind that—
(i) the principal made when the principal had decision-making
capacity; or
(ii) the principal might reasonably be expected to make.
Examples of celebrations for par (a)
1 birthday
2 Easter
3 Hanukah
Examples of special events for par (a)
1 birth
2 marriage
3 graduation
Things attorneys can and cannot do under enduring powers of attorney Division 4.3.2
(3) However, the general authorisation to make gifts in an enduring
power of attorney does not authorise making a gift mentioned in
subsection (2) if the value of the gift is more than is reasonable to
make.
(4) In working out what is reasonable for subsection (3), and without
limiting what must be considered, the principal’s financial
circumstances and the size of the principal’s estate must be
considered.
(5) Subsection (2) does not prevent the attorney, or a charity with which
the attorney has a connection, from receiving a gift under the general
authorisation to make gifts.