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WHAT IF I become unable to pay my bills or make health care decisions?

This is where a Durable Power of Attorney (POA) can be worth its weight in gold. Not having a durable power of attorney or health care power of attorney, could cause unnecessary delays and hardships for your loved ones who are trying to make important decisions for you while you are unable to. There are two types of Power of Attorneys (POA), financial and medical/healthcare. These are important legal documents that EVERYONE should have. What you don’t want is to be unprepared when the unexpected happens. You are never too young or old to get a Financial Power of Attorney or a Health Care Power of Attorney.

A well written Power of Attorney and POA appointing a health care representative can save you and your loved ones innumerable delays that could be devastating. If you become incapacitated, who do you want to make your financial decisions such as paying your bills, your mortgage, able to withdraw money to pay a medical expense, to name a few? Who do you want to make your health care decisions such as what treatment to get, procedures to have or not have, medicines to take, or life prolonging decisions to name a few, if you are unable too? Right now you probably a person or persons in mind that you would want to make those decisions for you. This person(s) should be a trusted family, friend, or loved one, who knows your wishes and desires. Choosing a person(s) should be made in advance as the “What If” could happen at anytime, without notice. These important decisions if not made prior to a “What If” incident, cannot be made after the “What If” happens, it is too late. A Durable Power of Attorney (Durable POA) will allow the person you choose to be your attorney-in-fact or agent. This gives that person(s) the ability to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf. You want to choose someone that you trust, as this is giving them immense authority and power. Do not take this lightly and delay, plan for the “What If” now. No one plans on the “What If” incident/accident, but you can plan on who will make these difficult and important decisions when you are unable to if the “What If” happens. Appointing someone as your attorney-in-fact or agent does NOT mean they can make you do something you do not want to do, nor does it take away your ability to make decisions for yourself. While you have the capacity to make decisions, your decision supersedes theirs, these legal documents merely allow someone else to make decisions if you are unable too.

If you have discussed with someone what you want done or not done, what type of treatment you want or do not want, or what bills must be paid in the event you are unable to do them yourself, then you should have a Durable Power of Attorney in place to allow that person or another loved the ability to legally act on your wishes, whether financially or medically.

Please contact the trusted attorneys at Perry Law Office to help ensure that if the “What If” happens, you are prepared.

Thank you
Perry Law Office, P.C.
260-483-3110
www.perryoffice.net

A durable power of attorney is an essential estate planning tool. A durable power of attorney can be utilized for Financial and/or Appointment of a Health Care Representative. A Financial Power of Attorney and a Heath Care Power of Attorney should be part of your estate plan whether you are an individual or a couple.

Why create a power of attorney? Because, if you become disabled and unable to handle your affairs this document can be invaluable. If, you are in an accident and are unable to make decisions or handle your financial affairs or your health care needs, the person designated as your power of attorney can do that for you. A person must be competent in order to create a power of attorney. If you are in an accident or have an illness that renders you not competent to handle your Affairs you are probably not competent to create a power of attorney at that time. Creating a power of attorney and naming a person as your power of attorney does not mean that person must act for you, it allows them to if the need arises. You can still conduct your own Affairs and handle all of your financial and health care needs while you are competent and able to do so.

What makes a power of attorney such a wonderful estate planning tool is that if it is needed it can be used instead of the need for a guardianship. A guardianship is a procedure where a relative, friend, or other interested person files a petition in the court requesting the court to appoint them guardian of your person and/or estate in order to make decisions for you financially or for your health care. There will generally be a hearing in front of the judge. Guardianship proceedings can be somewhat costly and will take some time to accomplish. Having a power of attorney in place in case it might be needed is something we recommend for all of our clients.

Financial Durable Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney Appointing a Health Care Representative are very important but sometimes are never used, however if needed they can make it a lot easier and substantially less burdensome for the person who is now tasked with making all your financial and medical decisions. The need for a power of attorney is not usually known until it is too late. To prevent unnecessary hard-ache and additional costs and time, invest in a power of attorney now, making that one less thing that a loved one must deal with at a later time.

We, at Perry Law Office, P.C., feel this is an essential part of any estate plan and will strongly suggest you create both a Financial Durable Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney Appointing a Health Care Representative along with your Will. These estate planning documents working well together and help to fully ensure that your wishes are carried out as you intended. In general Power of Attorneys end at death and a Will does not become effective until death.

Call Perry Law Office to talk to an experienced Estate Planning Attorney for a free telephone consultation to see if a power of attorney is something that is right for you.

Thank you

Perry Law Office, P.C.
260-483-3110
www.perryoffice.net

Tag: health care representative

Importance of Estate Planning: “What If” – Importance of Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney is an essential estate planning tool!