Establishing a Power of Attorney: What You Need to Know
If you are establishing or revising your estate plan, you should also consider designating a power of attorney. This is an important step to take in planning for your future, especially while you are still able to make sound decisions about who you want responsible to manage your personal and financial affairs.
In addition to establishing an immediate primary power of attorney it is possible to designate a second type of power of attorney, known as a "Springing power of attorney." This individual is appointed to begin fulfilling the role of power of attorney only after two physicians certify you can no longer handle your affairs due to illness or injury.
By naming a power of attorney, you are choosing one individual to manage your personal and financial affairs in the event you become unable to make those decisions independently. If you delay or avoid appointing your own power of attorney and one day need one, the court will make that decision on your behalf. The court may choose a family member, friend, or a complete stranger as your power of attorney. To maintain control over who will serve as your power of attorney, if you one day need one, work with an estate planning attorney who can further explain this important role. When you come to our office, we can explain the following options:
- Appointing a durable power of attorney
- Appointing a springing power of attorney
- Establishing a health care proxy
- Establishing an advanced health care directive
Powers of Attorney for Military Personnel
Many military members choose to designate a power of attorney to tend to their personal, business, and financial affairs while they are away. Paying bills, signing important documents, and other transactions can become a nearly impossible task if proper paperwork has not been filed. Our firm can explain the steps involved in establishing a power of attorney before military deployment.
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Contact a Bucks County Health Care Proxy Attorney
To learn more about your options in regard to establishing a power of attorney, contact our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, advanced health care directive law firm today. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to explain your legal options.
