powers of attorney

WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY?

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual (the "principal") to appoint someone else (the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact") to act on their behalf in certain situations. The agent can be given broad powers to manage the principal's financial and legal affairs or specific powers to handle a single transaction or matter. This page discusses durable powers of attorney and healthcare powers of attorney. Both a durable power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney are important because they allow individuals to plan ahead for the possibility of incapacity or illness. Without these documents in place, family members or other individuals may have to go to court to be appointed as guardians or conservators, which can be costly and time-consuming. By appointing someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf, individuals can have peace of mind that their affairs and medical decisions will be managed according to their wishes.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY:

A durable power of attorney is a type of power of attorney that remains in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated. This means that the designated agent or attorney-in-fact can continue to make decisions on the principal's behalf even if the principal is unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. A durable power of attorney can cover financial and legal matters, and it is often used to ensure that someone can manage an individual's affairs in the event of incapacity.

HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY:

A healthcare power of attorney is a type of power of attorney that designates someone to make medical decisions on behalf of the principal if they become unable to do so. This person is often called a healthcare proxy or agent, and they are responsible for making medical decisions based on the principal's wishes and values. This can include decisions about treatment options, end-of-life care, and other medical decisions.