Authorised by the Official Receiver
Continuing Power of Attorney
The Document Everyone Needs
Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach is authorised by the Official Receiver — a unique certification not held by every attorney. Prepare your Continuing Power of Attorney today and protect your freedom of choice for life.
Authorised by the Official Receiver
A Continuing Power of Attorney can only be prepared before an attorney authorised by the Official Receiver. Adv. Liron Elmaliach has undergone the specialised training and is registered in the official authorised-practitioners registry — not every attorney holds this authority.
One question that is equally important — and often neglected — is: what will happen if one day we can no longer make decisions for ourselves? Illness, an accident, or cognitive decline can affect anyone, at any age. A Continuing Power of Attorney is the way to remain in control even then.
The CPoA entered Israeli law in 2017 and represents a revolution in legal capacity law. It allows any competent adult to decide in advance who their appointee will be — and what their powers will be — without requiring a court decision.
Without such a document, the family must apply to the Family Court for a guardianship appointment — a lengthy, expensive, and often painful process. The court — not you — decides who will manage your life.
Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach guides families through the CPoA process with sensitivity and precision — from the first meeting to final registration in the Official Receiver registry.
What Is a Continuing Power of Attorney — the Document Everyone Needs
A "regular" power of attorney lapses the moment the grantor loses legal capacity — precisely when it is most needed. The Continuing Power of Attorney is designed to solve this problem: it remains in effect even after the grantor can no longer make decisions.
It can include detailed instructions for every domain — who manages health, who manages finances, what values matter to us in medical care, and what the advance directives are for end-of-life matters. All of this is written while you are healthy and capable — to protect you when you are not.
A CPoA is not only for the elderly. A road accident, serious illness, or stroke can affect anyone. This document is relevant for every adult — and especially for anyone with children, assets, or family members who depend on them.
Personal CPoA versus Property CPoA
A personal CPoA authorises the appointee to make decisions about health and welfare — which care home to enter, whether to undergo surgery, whether to receive experimental treatment. Precise instructions can be set to prevent the appointee from deciding things that are not acceptable to you.
A property CPoA authorises the appointee to manage bank accounts, buy and sell assets, manage investments, and sign contracts. Restrictions can be set — for example, that the family home cannot be sold without court approval.
One person can be appointed for both domains, or two different people. Alternate appointees can also be named in case the primary appointee is unavailable. This flexibility is part of the power of the document.
The Preparation Process — Step by Step
Step one — consultation meeting: The attorney understands the family, assets, wishes, and who is intended as the appointee. This is a personal conversation that tailors the document to your specific needs.
Step two — drafting the document: The attorney drafts the CPoA based on the decisions reached — including advance directives if desired. After your review and approval, a signing appointment is scheduled.
Step three — signing and approval: Signing takes place before the authorised attorney. The document is then submitted to the Official Receiver for approval and registration in the national registry — after which it is in full force. The registry allows doctors and institutions to verify the document's validity at any time.
Guardianship Appointment — What Happens Without a CPoA
When a person loses capacity without a CPoA, their family must submit an application to the Family Court for a guardianship appointment. The process takes an average of 4–8 months — during which it may not be possible to manage bank accounts, pay bills, or make critical medical decisions.
The process involves legal costs, a psychiatric opinion, and a judicial decision that you had no control over — including who will be appointed as guardian. It may be someone you would not have chosen.
In addition, a guardian is required to report to the court annually — creating a significant and ongoing burden on the family for years. A CPoA prevents all of this in advance, at far less cost and effort.
CPoA + Will — Complete Future Planning
A will governs life after death. A CPoA governs life before death — when you cannot make decisions. The two documents together form a complete protective framework for you and your family.
Often the grantor and testator are the same person — and it is advisable to coordinate both documents for consistency. For example: who manages the assets during life and who inherits them after death.
Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach is authorised to prepare both a CPoA and wills — and offers a combined package that enables comprehensive future planning in a single meeting. This ensures all aspects are coordinated and no detail falls through the cracks.
Further Information — Continuing Power of Attorney
Detailed guides on the most common topics
Frequently Asked Questions — Continuing Power of Attorney
Everything you wanted to know about Continuing Powers of Attorney in Israel
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Continuing Power of Attorney — Free Initial Consultation
Authorised by the Official Receiver