POWER OF ATTORNEY

Professional Powers of Attorney for Expats Living in Vietnam

Protect Your Interests. Appoint Someone You Trust. Plan for the Unexpected.

Life is unpredictable. Whether you are travelling, living overseas, managing investments in multiple countries, or planning for the future, there may come a time when someone else needs the legal authority to act on your behalf.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most important legal documents you can have. It allows you (the Principal) to appoint another person or organisation (the Attorney) to make decisions or carry out specific tasks for you when you are unable to do so yourself or simply prefer someone else to manage your affairs.

At SJP, we prepare professionally drafted Powers of Attorney for expatriates living in Vietnam, international families, retirees, business owners, investors, and globally mobile professionals.

Every document is individually prepared to reflect your circumstances, your instructions, and the jurisdictions in which it may be used.

Cross-Border Powers of Attorney

Legal Authority That Travels With You

Many expatriates have assets, businesses, family responsibilities, or financial interests spread across multiple countries.

Managing these affairs can become difficult if you are unable to travel, become ill, or simply need someone you trust to act on your behalf.

SJP specialises in preparing Cross-Border Powers of Attorney, designed to meet the needs of internationally mobile individuals and families.

Whether your attorney needs authority to deal with property, banking, legal matters, investments, business interests, or personal affairs in another country, we prepare documentation tailored to your individual requirements.

Comprehensive Cross-Border Solutions for Expatriates, International Couples & Globally Mobile Families.

Why You Should Consider a Power of Attorney

Many people believe Powers of Attorney are only required by elderly individuals.

In reality, they are valuable for adults of every age.

A properly prepared Power of Attorney can help if:

      • You live overseas.
      • You travel frequently.
      • You own overseas property.
      • You manage businesses in multiple countries.
      • You cannot attend important appointments.
      • You become temporarily incapacitated.
      • You suffer an accident or illness.
      • You simply want someone else to manage particular matters on your behalf.

Without a valid Power of Attorney, family members often have no automatic legal authority to deal with your affairs.

Planning ahead can save considerable time, expense, and stress.

Which Type of Power of Attorney Do You Need?

Choosing the correct Power of Attorney depends entirely on your circumstances.

Below are the most common types.

General Power of Attorney

A General Power of Attorney gives another person broad authority to manage your financial, legal, and administrative affairs while you remain mentally capable.

This type of document is commonly used when you are overseas, travelling extensively, or simply require someone to manage day-to-day matters on your behalf.

It usually ends if you lose mental capacity unless local laws provide otherwise.

Ideal for:
Property owners, expatriates, frequent travellers, and business owners.

Special (Limited) Power of Attorney

A Special Power of Attorney authorises someone to carry out one specific task or deal with one particular matter on your behalf.

Examples include:

      • Selling a property.
      • Purchasing real estate.
      • Signing contracts.
      • Collecting official documents.
      • Managing a single bank account.
      • Representing you during a specific transaction.

Once the task has been completed, the authority normally comes to an end.

Ideal for:
Clients requiring assistance with one clearly defined transaction.

Enduring Power of Attorney

An Enduring Power of Attorney is designed to continue operating if you later lose the mental capacity to make your own decisions.

Depending upon the jurisdiction, this may allow your chosen attorney to continue managing your financial affairs after you become unable to do so yourself.

This provides valuable protection for the future.

Ideal for:
Long-term estate planning and future financial security.

Medical Power of Attorney

A Medical Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if you become unable to communicate or make those decisions yourself.

This may include decisions relating to medical treatment, hospitals, ongoing care, or other health-related matters, depending upon local legislation.

Ideal for:
Anyone wishing to ensure trusted family members can make medical decisions if necessary.

Financial Power of Attorney

A Financial Power of Attorney authorises another person to manage your financial affairs.

This can include banking, investments, paying bills, taxation matters, insurance, pensions, and other financial responsibilities.

It can be prepared for temporary situations or ongoing management.

Ideal for:
Retirees, expatriates, investors, and individuals living overseas.

Property Power of Attorney

This document authorises another person to deal specifically with property matters.

Authority may include buying, selling, leasing, managing, maintaining, or registering real estate on your behalf.

It is particularly useful for expatriates who own property but live outside the country where the property is located.

Ideal for:
International property owners and overseas investors.

Business Power of Attorney

Business owners often require another trusted individual to make commercial decisions during periods of absence.

A Business Power of Attorney can authorise another person to manage business operations, sign commercial documents, negotiate contracts, deal with government authorities, or conduct other business activities within the limits you specify.

Ideal for:
Company directors, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Temporary Power of Attorney

Sometimes authority is only required for a limited period.

A Temporary Power of Attorney grants authority for a specified timeframe before automatically expiring.

This can be useful when travelling overseas, recovering from illness, or being temporarily unavailable.

Ideal for:
Short-term assignments and temporary absences.

International Cross-Border Power of Attorney

International matters often require documentation that takes into account multiple legal systems.

We prepare Cross-Border Powers of Attorney for clients with international assets, overseas property, multinational businesses, and family members living in different countries.

Every document is tailored to the jurisdictions involved and the purpose for which it will be used.

Ideal for:
Globally mobile families, expatriates, international investors, and overseas business owners.

Our Drafting Process

Every Power of Attorney prepared by SJP Consultancy is individually drafted.

We begin by understanding:

      • Your personal circumstances.
      • The authority you wish to grant.
      • Who you wish to appoint.
      • Which countries are involved.
      • The duration of the authority.
      • Any restrictions or limitations you require.

Once we fully understand your objectives, we prepare documentation that accurately reflects your instructions.

No generic templates.

No unnecessary complexity.

Simply professionally prepared documentation tailored to your individual requirements.

Appoint SJP as Your Attorney

Many clients do not have a suitable family member or trusted friend available to act on their behalf.

In these circumstances, SJP can be appointed as your Attorney, subject to acceptance and the scope of the appointment.

Acting in this role, we can manage the responsibilities you have authorised, ensuring that your instructions are carried out professionally, confidentially, and in accordance with the authority granted in your Power of Attorney.

Depending on your needs, our appointment may include assistance with financial matters, property administration, business transactions, document execution, communication with government authorities, or other authorised responsibilities.

Our professional appointment service provides reassurance that your affairs will be handled responsibly and independently, particularly when family members live overseas or are unable to act.

Professional Attorney Management Plans

Clients who appoint SJP as their Attorney may choose one of our ongoing management plans.

Monthly Plan

Suitable for clients requiring short-term assistance or temporary representation.

Quarterly Plan

Ideal for clients who require ongoing support throughout the year while maintaining flexibility.

Annual Professional Appointment

Our annual appointment provides continuous representation together with additional flexibility.

Clients selecting our Annual Attorney Service may amend their Power of Attorney up to two times each year at no additional professional drafting charge, provided the amendments fall within the original scope of the appointment.

This allows your documentation to evolve as your personal or business circumstances change.

Fixed Fees with Complete Transparency

We believe professional services should be transparent.

Before any work begins, we provide a detailed quotation outlining exactly what is included.

Our clients benefit from:

      • Fixed fees agreed in advance.
      • No hidden charges.
      • No unexpected invoices.
      • No additional costs unless you request extra services beyond those originally agreed.

Our commitment to transparent pricing allows you to proceed with confidence, knowing exactly what your professional fees will be.

Why Choose SJP?

Preparing a Power of Attorney requires careful consideration and professional drafting.

Clients choose SJP because we provide:

      • Tailor-made Powers of Attorney.
      • Cross-border documentation for international clients.
      • Practical advice explained in plain English.
      • Solutions for individuals, couples, families, retirees, and businesses.
      • Professional Attorney appointment services.
      • Transparent fixed-fee pricing.
      • Confidential and discreet service.
      • Ongoing support whenever your circumstances change.

Our focus is not simply on preparing legal documents—it is on ensuring they are practical, effective, and designed to protect your interests both now and in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appoint more than one Attorney?

Yes. You may appoint one Attorney or multiple Attorneys, depending on your wishes and the legal requirements of the relevant jurisdiction. We can advise on the most appropriate arrangement for your circumstances.

Can my Attorney live in another country?

In many cases, yes. However, whether a foreign-based Attorney can act effectively depends on the jurisdiction, the nature of the authority granted, and the organisations with which they will be dealing. We can help you determine the most suitable arrangement.

Can I cancel my Power of Attorney?

Generally, yes. As long as you retain the legal capacity to do so, a Power of Attorney can usually be revoked or replaced. We can assist with preparing the necessary revocation documents and updated appointment.

Can I change my Power of Attorney later?

Absolutely. Your Power of Attorney should reflect your current wishes. If your circumstances change, we can prepare an updated document. Clients on our Annual Professional Attorney Management Plan may make up to two amendments each year without an additional drafting fee, provided the changes fall within the agreed scope of the service.

Protect Your Interests Before You Need To

A Power of Attorney is one of the most practical legal documents you can put in place. It ensures that someone you trust—or a professional representative you appoint—can act on your behalf when it matters most.

Whether you need a straightforward Power of Attorney for a single transaction or a comprehensive cross-border document covering multiple jurisdictions, SJP Consultancy can provide professional advice, carefully drafted documentation, and ongoing support tailored to your needs.

Contact SJP today to arrange a confidential consultation and discover how a professionally prepared Power of Attorney can help protect your interests—wherever life takes you.