It can be a difficult prospect for other people to make decisions about an adult's medical needs in an emergency. Other people may have a hard time recalling someone's wishes, and their prior conversations on the topic may no longer reflect someone's desires. An...
Providing Peace Of Mind
For You And Your Family
Powers Of Attorney
What makes durable powers of attorney distinct?
Many estate planning documents take effect after someone dies. Additionally, many people add documents to their estate plans that have authority while someone is still alive. Powers of attorney take effect in scenarios where people have incapacitating medical issues....
Is an advanced health care directive enough?
An advanced health care directive lets you spell out your health care wishes. For example, if you would like a particular doctor to treat you. If you will only accept a blood transfusion from family members. Or do not want to be kept alive artificially. If you have...
What is a financial power of attorney?
Part of creating a comprehensive estate plan involves making sure that one’s financial affairs are handled if the principal or person who creates the estate plan becomes incapacitated. Setting up a financial power of attorney gives a trusted individual or entity the...
How to protect against the abuse of a power of attorney
Powers of attorney are among the most valuable documents that people can add to their estate plans. However, many people are averse to their creation. They worry that someone will abuse the authority that they delegate in their documents. Most people who draft powers...
Why might people decide to update existing powers of attorney?
It is quite common for people to assume that their estate planning documents are valid and will protect them for the rest of their lives. They draft documents once and then set them aside, never to revisit them. These people may have failed to consider how their...
Why should I include a power of attorney in my estate plan?
Creating an estate plan involves diving into one’s future goals and priorities. More often than not, individuals choose estate planning tools that will benefit them and their loved ones the most. If you are considering including a power of attorney in your estate...
What is a springing power of attorney?
A power of attorney allows you to sign your rights away, to some degree. You give somebody else the opportunity to make decisions for you that they usually wouldn't have the right to make. For example, a medical power of attorney could let them decide if you're going...
Can you have more than one power of attorney?
If you’re using a power of attorney to choose an agent who can make decisions for you, it’s important to know that there are different types of powers of attorney. For example, you can use a legal power of attorney or a medical power of attorney. One can address...
Powers of attorney can protect you from involuntary guardianship
Estate planning requires that you confront some unpleasant realities, such as the fact that you will eventually die. The best estate plans protect not just the people you love after your death but also you as an individual as you grow older. Age or an injury could...