Power of Attorney

These documents are written authorizations for one or more individuals (or organizations) to take some action for someone else, who either doesn’t want to do the act or can’t do the act themselves. In estate planning, you are usually talking about two (2) different types of Powers of Attorney: one for health care and one for financial management and property.

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A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care specifies who will make and communicate medical care decisions for you, including the ability to direct withholding and/or withdrawal of medical care at the end of life. A requirement today is that a HIPAA authorization be put into your health care power of attorney to allow your medical providers to communicate details of your medical condition and course of treatment to specified individuals. Without this authorization, your doctor may refuse to communicate with your hand-picked decision maker.

 

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A Durable General Financial Power of Attorney specifies who will have general authority to take over management of your assets if you become incapacitated or just don’t wish to manage your financial affairs anymore.

 

Durable Powers of Attorney end (or terminate) upon the death of the person who put it into effect.

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To discuss Powers of Attorney in more detail, including which types are the right fit for you or your family member, call my office at 314-818-0344 to set up an appointment or use the link below to fill out a contact form.