Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney: When Another Party Steps In

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document used in a wide range of circumstances, from real estate deals to business partnerships. However, in estate planning, POAs generally fulfill several specific functions.

With a POA, you (the principal) designate another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf, making all decisions, either for all your affairs or for just the matters specified by the document. When drafted as part of an estate plan, most POAs only take effect if the principal becomes incapacitated.

POAs can serve the same objective as advanced directives or living wills (these are often called medical POAs), but they do not allow you to specifically direct your care. Instead, you entrust those decisions to your agent.

  • These documents are common for elderly individuals, but they may also be drafted to cover unforeseen circumstances, such as military personnel deploying overseas who want a designated individual to act on their behalf if they are incapacitated.
  • POAs compliment a will, as the two documents in tandem provide oversight for all financial activities, before and after death.
  • Often referred to as contingency documents, POAs can be term-limited or good until changed or revoked (a durable POA). Making alterations or creating a new POA is as simple as destroying the document and creating a new one (preferably with the assistance of a qualified attorney like Robert Turner), unlike trusts and other instruments common before death.
  • In the absence of a POA or other legally binding document like a living will, person becomes incapacitated, no decisions can be made on his or her behalf, or that of the estate, until the court appoints a guardian (guardianship) or conservator (conservatorship).

Contact Us for a Free Initial Phone Consultation

To explore whether a POA is the right instrument for your needs, and for expert estate planning, elder law, probate or tax planning assistance, call lawyer Robert Turner at his Decatur, GA, office at phone number(404) 377-6941 or fill out the contact form on this web site.