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If you are no longer able to manage all or part of your affairs as a result of an accident or illness, or due to declining mental capacity in old age, and you have not granted a power of attorney, it may be necessary to appoint a legal representative ("guardian") for you. In this case, the court will hear you as part of the guardianship proceedings on the question of who you would like as your guardian, among other things. If you are no longer able to make a statement, the court must take into account the wishes you have previously expressed. This is best done in a written advance care directive, also known as a "care directive". In it, you can specify who should be your guardian. However, you can also specify who should not be considered as a caregiver under any circumstances.
In addition to any wishes regarding the person of the caregiver, you have the option of specifying further requirements for a later care case in a care directive. For example, you can make instructions on the following questions:
However, these are only suggestions. Your individual situation is decisive.
You can find more details and the form for the care directive in the information brochure "Precautions for accidents, illness and old age" (see "Further links").
For reasons of proof alone, the care directive should be drawn up in writing and signed by you with the place and date.
You can register a care directive for a fee with the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries (see "Further links").
In a living will, you can set out your wishes in writing in advance regarding the type and manner of medical treatment in the event of your own incapacity to make decisions.
The legal institution of guardianship exists for adults who are unable to manage their own affairs in whole or in part due to illness or disability.
With a power of attorney, you can make provisions in the event that you are no longer able to manage your own affairs, for example as a result of an accident or illness.
If you have set up a power of attorney and/or a care directive, you should register it in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries.