power of attorney

Helping You Plan Ahead To Secure Your Future

As adults, we are used to managing our affairs. You may coordinate with a spouse, family member, or partner, but you also know that you can do it on your own. Unfortunately, you can lose the ability to manage your financial and personal affairs due to an illness, an accident, or simply as a result of the natural aging process. Without a plan in place, your loved ones may have to go to court to determine who has the right to manage your affairs or make healthcare decisions for you.

Our team of attorneys can help you avoid this type of situation and nominate someone to serve as your financial agent through a general durable power of attorney or as your patient advocate through a healthcare power of attorney.

What Is A Power Of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a document that allows you to give someone the authority to manage your financial affairs. This person is called your agent and can perform a variety of tasks on your behalf including signing checks, making bank deposits, paying bills, purchasing insurance, buying or selling property, and other duties. You can define which duties your agent is allowed to perform.

How Do I Choose A Power Of Attorney?

You should choose a person you trust to make sound business decisions on your behalf. Most people choose a spouse, family member, or a close friend for this role. With so many potential issues that can arise, it is important to think things through before making a decision.

 

What Happens If I Change My Mind?

A power of attorney agreement remains in effect until you pass away unless you make a conscious choice to cancel the agreement. You can cancel the power of attorney agreement in writing, as long as you are mentally competent to do so.

When Should I Contact An Attorney For Help?

Most people work with an attorney to set up their power of attorney documents. With our extensive experience in estate planning and setting up power of attorney agreements, you can confidently make tough decisions about your future and protect your interests.

General Power of Attorney

In some cases, you may want to give a spouse, family member, or other trusted individual general power of attorney responsibilities. This means the person you choose can handle all of your affairs, including financial, healthcare, business, and related duties. This gives the person full control over your affairs.

Limited Power of Attorney

You can set up power of attorney privileges in a limited capacity, such as healthcare or financial power of attorney, allowing your agent to step in and handle decisions only in certain areas. A healthcare power of attorney does not give the agent the same duties or legal authority as an advanced healthcare directive, but when combined with a living will or trust, it can allow your agent to make critical healthcare decisions on your behalf.

Durable Power of Attorney

If you have a power of attorney agreement in some form already in effect, a durable power of attorney allows that agreement to remain active if you become incapacitated – either mentally or physically. Generally, the durable power of attorney goes into effect after a doctor certifies that you are no longer able to manage your own affairs.

Clear Explanations And Practical Advice

If you are involved in a dispute with other family members regarding the estate of a loved one, our attorneys can help bring clarity to the situation. We will sit down with you and explain your options in plain and simple terms. And we will offer sound and practical legal advice so you can make an informed decision. If necessary, we can facilitate a dialog among the parties and help you to agree on a resolution. Ultimately, you are in the best position to decide how to manage your affairs. Our attorneys are trusted advisors who will make sure you have all of the information you need to proceed with confidence.

Get Started Today With A Consultation

If you are looking for trusted and reliable attorneys to help you create or update a power of attorney agreement, visit the link below for your personalized consultation.