Let an Estate Planning Lawyer Help You Prepare for Emergencies

What would happen if you were injured in an accident or hospitalized for a serious illness? Bills could go unpaid, ruining your credit. Doctors could delay providing medical treatment because they lack authority to take action or are uncertain of your wishes.

By setting up power of attorney documents now, you will be prepared for unknown emergencies that could occur any time in the future. The team at Powers & Worshtil, P.C. can prepare medical and general powers of attorney that allow for healthcare decisions and financial matters to be handled if you are unable to make or communicate decisions on your own.

Understanding a Power of Attorney

When you grant someone power of attorney as your agent, you give them authority to make decisions on your behalf. You can name any competent adult as your agent—they do not need to have any legal training. The power you give them may be temporary or long term, and it can be very specific or very broad. For instance, you might give someone power of attorney to sign real estate closing documents while you are traveling overseas. Or if you would like assistance managing finances, you might grant a loved one broad power to access your bank accounts, manage investments, and pay bills.

Typically, an estate planning attorney will draw up a durable power of attorney for financial matters and a separate power of attorney for medical decisions. A healthcare power of attorney gives someone authority to make medical decisions for you, such as approving treatment.

You can revoke a power of attorney at any time, so long as you remain legally competent.  You can also set up a power of attorney so that takes effect immediately or only goes into effect if you become incapacitated.

A Power of Attorney Law Helps You Stay Ahead

No one wants to contemplate a future where they are incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. But illness or injury can hit at any age or stage of life and can cause tremendous problems if you are not prepared. Let the team at Powers & Worshtil, P.C. craft customized power of attorney documents so that you will be ready to handle whatever lies ahead.