Care Directive: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to use a Care Directive to choose your legal guardian and ensure your wishes are respected if you can no longer make decisions for yourself.
A Care Directive is a document that allows you to provide specific instructions regarding who should be appointed as your legal guardian if you become unable to manage your own affairs.
Who it's for
This scheme is available to any adult.
What you get
By setting up this directive, you gain the ability to nominate a specific person to act as your legal guardian (known locally as Betreuung) should you ever need professional assistance with legal or personal decisions. It ensures that the person looking after your interests is someone you have chosen and trust.
What it costs you
There is no direct government fee mentioned for the directive itself, but you should account for the time required to draft the document and ensure it is prepared correctly.
The catch to know
It is very easy to confuse a Care Directive with a Power of Attorney. While they both deal with decision-making, they serve different legal purposes, so it is important to distinguish between them to ensure your specific needs are met.
How to apply
- Decide on the person or people you trust most to act on your behalf.
- Draft your instructions clearly, outlining how you want your affairs to be managed.
- Review your document to ensure it reflects your current wishes.
- Consult with a legal professional if you need help with the specific wording.