The power of attorney is an essential component of estate planning. It’s a legal document allowing you to appoint someone as your attorney-in-fact or agent. As your attorney-in-fact, they are responsible for acting and making decisions on your behalf when you can’t do...
Powers Of Attorney
What happens to the power of attorney after death?
Understanding the complexities of legal documents can be a daunting task. One such document, a power of attorney (POA), plays a crucial role during a person’s lifetime. But what happens to it after their death? The role of POA A POA is a legal document that grants an...
Why you should have more than one power of attorney
Creating an estate plan involves more than deciding on the distribution of your assets and naming beneficiaries. It’s also about planning for the unexpected, such as becoming incapacitated and unable to make your wishes known. Naming a power of attorney (POA) allows...
Does a power of attorney apply immediately?
There are some things that people legally only have the right to do for themselves. For example, unless the person is a minor, only they can make medical decisions. This power can be transferred using a power of attorney. With this document, an individual chooses an...
Power of attorney: Who should you pick for yours?
Part of making your estate plan may mean setting up a power of attorney. Remember that dividing assets – which you may do with a will or a trust – is only part of the process. You also need to take the time to put plans in place for your future medical and financial...
California powers of attorney can strengthen your estate plan
When you need to grant someone the authority to act as your agent and make decisions for you, a power of attorney can meet your needs. Contrary to common belief, you have more than one type of this legal instrument to choose from in California. The right one (or ones)...
3 questions to ask a potential medical power of attorney
You want to be prepared for the future – and all the possibilities that it holds, including the chance that you may be unable to speak for yourself and direct your own care at some point prior to your death. An advance health care directive is essential, but advance...
Is there any way to avoid probate?
When you leave a will behind, your estate must go through probate. It can be an expensive, time-consuming court process, and your loved ones must wait until the end to gain ownership of their inheritance. In addition, your estate may be exposed to certain adverse...
The 2 powers of attorney everybody needs
Sometimes, estate planning is thought of as simply drafting a will that outlines the testator's final wishes. In truth, a will is just one of many estate planning documents. When drafting your estate plan, something you may want to consider is a power of attorney....
Factors to consider when setting up a medical power of attorney
If you'd like to choose an agent to help you make medical decisions or to make them on your behalf when you can't do so, you can do this with a medical power of attorney. This can give someone who otherwise wouldn't be able to make these decisions the ability to act...