Lasting powers of attorney (Vorsorgevolllmacht)

Under German law, it is possible to appoint an agent to make decisions on a person's behalf, when that person lacks the mental capacity to do so. The purpose of such a lasting powers of attorney (Vorsorgevolllmacht) is to prevent that the court of protection (Betreuungsgericht) names a custodian (Betreuer). In many cases the lasting power of attorney is combined with a general power of attorney (Generalvollmacht) and in most cases it is stipulated that the lasting power of attorney does not end with the death of the principle (Vollmacht über den Tod hinaus).