A solicitor meets with an elderly client for a legal consultation concerning a power of attorney.
- Solicitor · turn 1
Good morning, Mr Fan. Good to see you here today. You look great! What do you think about the new aged-care facility you’ve just moved into?
早安，范先生。很高興今天見到您。您看起來氣色很好！您覺得剛搬進去的那間新養老院怎麼樣？
- Mr Fan · turn 2
啊，那個老人院挺好的。那裡的社工把我照顧得很好，而且每天都有很多活動，我還能結識一些新朋友。
Ah, the aged-care facility is quite good. The social workers there take very good care of me, and there are plenty of activities every day. I can also meet some new friends.
- Solicitor · turn 3
It seems to me that you’re enjoying your life there. That’s good to hear. Tell me, what brings you here today?
看來您很享受在那裡的生活，聽到這個消息真好。請問您今天來找我是為了甚麼事？
- Mr Fan · turn 4
就是我老人院的一個朋友建議我弄一個甚麼……叫甚麼來着？對了，好像是授權書之類的東西。她說我已經78歲了，最好安排一個人來替我管理我的事務。
Well, a friend at the aged-care facility suggested that I arrange some kind of... what was it called again? Oh yes, something like a power of attorney. She said that, since I’m already 78, it would be best to appoint someone to manage my affairs.
- Solicitor · turn 5
Okay, I see. A power of attorney authorises a person to act on behalf of another and may include the power to make financial, personal or medical decisions. The purpose of a power of attorney is to make sure that a trusted person can attend to essential matters at the right time.
好的，我明白了。授權書授權一個人代表另一個人行事，授予的權力可能包括作出財務、個人或醫療方面的決定。授權書的目的是確保一位值得信賴的人能夠在適當的時候處理重要事務。
- Mr Fan · turn 6
那你覺得我一定要這樣做嗎？我現在獨立生活得挺好的，目前為止都沒有任何問題。但我的身體狀況，的確是大不如前了。
Do you think I absolutely have to do this? I’m managing quite well living independently, and I haven’t had any problems so far. But my health certainly isn’t what it used to be.
- Solicitor · turn 7
It isn’t compulsory, but it can be a sensible precaution, particularly as you get older. You should also be aware that there are different types of powers of attorney. For example, an enduring power of attorney can continue to operate even if you later lose the capacity to make certain decisions yourself.
這並不是強制性的，但可以是一項明智的預防措施，尤其是隨着年齡增長。您也應該知道，授權書有不同的種類。例如，即使您日後失去自行作出某些決定的能力，持久授權書仍然可以繼續生效。
- Mr Fan · turn 8
喪失做決定的能力？我並沒有得老人癡呆，所以從來沒考慮過這些情況。你能給我舉些例子來說明嗎？
Lose the capacity to make decisions? I don’t have dementia, so I’ve never considered situations like that. Could you give me some examples?
- Solicitor · turn 9
Sure. For some people, change may come quickly with the sudden onset of an illness or following an accident. With a power of attorney in place, responsibilities can be gradually passed on to an adult family member, a non-family member or a partner.
當然可以。對有些人來說，突發疾病或意外事故可能會令情況迅速改變。如果事先訂立了授權書，相關責任就可以逐步交給一位成年的家庭成員、非家庭成員或伴侶。
- Mr Fan · turn 10
原來是這樣。那如果我只是暫時生病，比如說要住院一段時間，但頭腦還很清醒，我委託的人是不是也可以替我去銀行或者處理一些賬單呢？
I see. What if I’m only temporarily ill—for example, if I need to stay in hospital for a while but I’m still mentally capable? Could the person I appoint go to the bank or deal with some bills on my behalf?
- Solicitor · turn 11
Potentially, yes. It depends on the type of power of attorney you make and the powers you give to your attorney. You can specify what your attorney is authorised to do and, in some cases, when that authority is to come into effect.
有可能可以。這取決於您訂立的授權書類型，以及您授予受權人的權力。您可以明確規定受權人獲准處理哪些事情；在某些情況下，也可以規定該項授權何時開始生效。
- Mr Fan · turn 12
那麼具體說來，我可以委託哪些人來代表我行事呢？我老伴兒已經去世了，我也無兒無女。
More specifically, whom can I appoint to act on my behalf? My spouse has passed away, and I don’t have any children.
- Solicitor · turn 13
Under a power of attorney arrangement, the person acting on your behalf can be a close friend, a relative, a public trustee, a solicitor or an accountant. If you choose to appoint a public trustee, a solicitor or an accountant to act on your behalf, some costs may be involved.
根據授權書的安排，代表您行事的人可以是親近的朋友、親屬、公共受託人、律師或會計師。如果您選擇委任公共受託人、律師或會計師代表您行事，可能需要支付一些費用。
- Mr Fan · turn 14
我有一個認識了四十多年的老朋友，我非常信任他。他可以做我的受權人嗎？還是一定要找自己的親屬？
I have an old friend whom I’ve known for more than 40 years, and I trust him very much. Can he be my attorney, or does it have to be one of my relatives?
- Solicitor · turn 15
No, the person doesn’t have to be your next of kin or a relative. The important thing is that you appoint someone you trust who is willing and able to take on the responsibility. They should also understand that they must act in your best interests and avoid any conflict of interest.
不必，這個人不一定要是您的近親或其他親屬。重要的是，您委任的人必須是您信任的，而且願意並有能力承擔這項責任。他也應該明白，自己必須以您的最佳利益行事，並避免任何利益衝突。
- Mr Fan · turn 16
你剛才說「利益衝突」，這是甚麼意思？如果我那個朋友將來也可以從我的遺囑裡得到一部分遺產，這算不算利益衝突？
You just mentioned a “conflict of interest”. What does that mean? If my friend is also going to receive part of my estate under my will, would that count as a conflict of interest?
- Solicitor · turn 17
Not necessarily, but it is something we would need to consider carefully. A conflict of interest can arise when your attorney’s personal interests conflict with their duty to act in your best interests. For example, there could be a problem if they used your money or property for their own benefit without proper authority.
不一定，但我們需要仔細考慮這一點。如果受權人的個人利益與其以您的最佳利益行事的責任互相衝突，就可能產生利益衝突。例如，如果他未經適當授權便使用您的金錢或財產來為自己謀利，就可能構成問題。
- Mr Fan · turn 18
那我就有點擔心了。如果我授權給他，是不是等於把所有財產都交給他？比如說，他能不能把我的房子賣掉？
That makes me a little worried. If I authorise him, does that mean I’m handing all my property over to him? For example, would he be able to sell my house?
- Solicitor · turn 19
Not automatically. The powers given to an attorney depend on the document and the conditions you specify. We can discuss whether you want to limit certain powers. You should understand exactly what authority you’re granting before you sign anything.
不會自動如此。受權人獲得的權力取決於授權文件以及您訂明的條件。我們可以討論您是否希望限制某些權力。在簽署任何文件之前，您應該清楚了解自己究竟授予了哪些權力。
- Mr Fan · turn 20
明白了。那如果我以後改變主意，或者跟這個朋友鬧翻了，我是不是就沒辦法把授權收回來了？
I understand. If I change my mind later, or if my friend and I fall out, would I be unable to withdraw the authority?
- Solicitor · turn 21
You can generally revoke a power of attorney while you still have the legal capacity to do so. You would need to follow the appropriate procedure and notify the attorney and, where relevant, organisations that have been relying on the document.
一般來說，只要您仍然具備相應的法律行為能力，就可以撤銷授權書。您需要遵循適當的程序，並通知受權人以及在適用情況下曾依賴該文件行事的機構。
- Mr Fan · turn 22
那如果我真的有一天失去了作決定的能力，又沒有提前安排好授權書，會怎麼樣？
What would happen if I actually lost the capacity to make decisions one day and hadn’t arranged a power of attorney in advance?
- Solicitor · turn 23
In that situation, someone may need to apply to the appropriate tribunal for an order appointing a person to make certain decisions for you. That process is quite different from choosing your own attorney in advance, which is one reason people consider planning ahead while they still have capacity.
在那種情況下，可能需要有人向適當的審裁處提出申請，請求頒令委任一個人替您作出某些決定。這個程序與您預先自行選擇受權人相當不同，這也是人們會考慮在仍然具備行為能力時提前作出安排的原因之一。
- Mr Fan · turn 24
我明白了。聽起來還是應該趁自己現在頭腦清楚，把這些事情安排好。不過我不想今天馬上作決定。
I understand. It sounds as though I should arrange these matters while I’m still clear-minded. However, I don’t want to make a decision straight away today.
- Solicitor · turn 25
That’s perfectly fine. There’s no need for you to make a decision today. In fact, you should take some time to think carefully about whom you trust and what powers you would want that person to have.
完全沒問題。您不需要今天作出決定。事實上，您應該花些時間仔細考慮自己信任誰，以及希望授予那個人哪些權力。
- Mr Fan · turn 26
如果我決定辦的話，需要找人見證嗎？還是我自己簽個名就可以了？
If I decide to proceed, will I need someone to witness it, or can I simply sign it myself?
- Solicitor · turn 27
There are formal requirements for signing and witnessing these documents, particularly for an enduring power of attorney. We can go through those requirements when you’re ready. It’s important that the document is completed correctly so that it can be relied upon when needed.
簽署和見證這些文件有正式要求，持久授權書尤其如此。等您準備好時，我們可以逐項講解這些要求。文件必須正確填妥，這樣在有需要時才能有效使用。
- Mr Fan · turn 28
好的。另外，今天我跟你說的這些事情都是保密的吧？我不希望老人院的人或者我的朋友知道我在考慮怎麼處理財產。
All right. Also, everything I’ve told you today is confidential, isn’t it? I don’t want anyone at the aged-care facility or any of my friends to know that I’m considering how to deal with my property.
- Solicitor · turn 29
Yes. What you discuss with me is confidential, subject to limited legal exceptions. I won’t disclose your personal information simply because a family member, friend or someone from the aged-care facility asks for it.
是的。您與我討論的內容均屬保密，但有少數法律規定的例外情況。我不會僅僅因為您的家人、朋友或養老院的人提出要求，就披露您的個人資料。
- Mr Fan · turn 30
那我就放心了。我可以再來找你嗎？因為我現在還沒想好該委託誰。
That puts my mind at ease. Can I come back to see you again? I haven’t yet decided whom I should appoint.
- Solicitor · turn 31
Of course. Take your time and think about who you trust to act on your behalf. When you’re ready, make another appointment and we can discuss your options in more detail, including the type of power of attorney that best suits your circumstances.
當然可以。您可以慢慢考慮自己信任誰來代表您行事。準備好之後，再預約一次，我們可以更詳細地討論您的選擇，包括哪一類授權書最適合您的情況。
- Mr Fan · turn 32
好的，那我回去再好好考慮一下。謝謝你今天跟我解釋得這麼清楚。
All right. I’ll go home and give it some careful thought. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly today.
- Solicitor · turn 33
You’re very welcome, Mr Fan. I’ll give you some general information to take home and read. If you have any questions before your next appointment, please feel free to contact the office.
不客氣，范先生。我會給您一些一般資料，讓您帶回家閱讀。如果您在下次預約之前有任何問題，歡迎隨時聯絡本律師事務所。
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