As we age, life can change in ways we never anticipated. One day you are managing your own finances, paying bills, planning holidays, or handling household decisions with ease. The next, an unexpected health event, an accident, a stroke, the onset of dementia, or another illness, can rob you of the ability to make those everyday choices.
Suddenly, the people who love you most are left scrambling. Who pays the electricity bill? How do we afford the aged care home that is suddenly necessary? What about Centrelink pensions, NDIS supports, or property decisions?
In Victoria, these scenarios are becoming more common. According to Dementia Australia and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, an estimated 110,600 Victorians were living with all forms of dementia in 2025, with numbers projected to rise significantly in the coming decades as our population ages. Nationally, around 433,000 Australians are affected, and many more face other conditions like acquired brain injuries, mental health challenges, or progressive illnesses that impair decision making capacity.
For families, the impact is profound. Emotional distress compounds when financial matters pile up unchecked, leading to missed payments, mounting debts, or rushed decisions about selling a family home to fund care.
Without proper planning, the default path often involves applying to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a financial administration order. This process, while protective, can be lengthy and stressful, requiring medical evidence, hearings, and assessments, while bills continue to arrive and assets need safeguarding. Families may step in informally, but without legal authority, they risk personal liability or family tensions over who should manage what. In blended families, or where relationships are strained, the absence of clear arrangements can escalate into disputes, sometimes even exploitation.
Empowering each other to safeguard against the unexpected
The good news is that these challenges do not have to unfold chaotically. Proactive steps taken earlier can provide structure, security, and relief for everyone involved.
State Trustees Victoria, a Victorian Government backed organisation with more than 85 years of dedicated service, offers exactly that kind of forward-thinking support. Since 1940, they have helped hundreds of thousands of Victorians navigate life’s most difficult transitions with professionalism, impartiality, and genuine care.
One of the most effective ways to prepare is by creating an Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial). This legal document lets you appoint a trusted person, or a professional like State Trustees, to manage your financial and legal affairs if you lose capacity in the future. You decide the terms, when the powers start, whether immediately, on a specific date, or only when a doctor confirms incapacity, and what they cover, from bill payments to property sales.
Unlike a personal attorney who might face emotional strain or conflicts of interest, appointing State Trustees ensures decisions are made objectively, with expertise and accountability to the government and the people of Victoria.
Their team, around 600 skilled professionals across locations in Footscray, Dandenong, and Bendigo (with will writing services now centralising in the CBD from January 2026), handles the details so you do not have to worry. They pay bills on time, prepare tax returns, maximise entitlements from Services Australia, Centrelink, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or NDIS, negotiate aged care bonds and fees, manage debts compassionately, and support property maintenance or sales when needed.
The focus is always on your best interests, ensuring you have money for personal spending, hobbies, or small comforts while protecting your assets for the long term.
For those already in a situation where capacity is impaired, perhaps due to illness, injury, or disability, State Trustees can be appointed by VCAT as your financial administrator. This service is tailored and comprehensive. They create budgets, pay rent or nursing home fees, collect owed income, handle legal matters like TAC or WorkCover claims, and work toward financial independence where possible.
Testimonials from clients and families highlight the relief. One carer noted it “stops family fights” and provides peace of mind that finances are explained clearly and protected. Another described it as a “load off your shoulders”, especially when mental health makes bill decisions overwhelming.
What sets State Trustees apart is their enduring accountability. There are no private shareholders, just a commitment to the Victorian community. Fees are transparent and itemised upfront, with government funding helping keep costs affordable, and their government backing means the highest standards of integrity under laws like the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019.
They collaborate with the Office of the Public Advocate when personal or medical decisions are also needed, creating a holistic support network.
Aged care transitions add another layer of complexity. Means tested fees, accommodation bonds, daily care charges, and ongoing assessments can strain even well-prepared finances. State Trustees steps in to optimise these, identifying extra benefits, negotiating terms, and ensuring smooth payments, so families can focus on visits, emotional support, and quality time rather than paperwork.
Planning for incapacity is not about dwelling on worst case scenarios. It is about empowerment. A single conversation or appointment can outline options, clarify costs, and give you control over who steps in and how. Whether your needs are straightforward or complex, State Trustees listens, explains patiently, and delivers.
If you are in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, or supporting ageing parents, consider what might happen if health changes unexpectedly. Do not leave it to chance or a stressful VCAT process.
Contact State Trustees today for a no-obligation, no-cost initial discussion.
A small step now can bring lasting peace of mind for you and those you love.
