You want to entrust authority in an individual to refuse or allow medical care if you are not competent to make decisions for yourself.  You may be an executive with a tight schedule that necessitates you making trips in several international locations in one or two days and need some someone to sign contracts in your absence.  Perhaps you want to grant to someone the authority to take care of your financial portfolio.

A power of attorney allows you do just that.  A power of attorney is a document in which an individual, known as the “principal”, authorizes another individual, referred to as the “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”, to act on their behalf in handling certain matters during their lifetime.  Powers of attorney can take the form of a:

• General Power of Attorney authorizing your Agent to act on your behalf in a variety of different situations
• Special Power of Attorney authorizing your Agent to act on your behalf in specific situations only
• Health Care Power of Attorney allowing you to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you if you’re incapacitated
• Durable Power of Attorney which means that the document will remain in effect or take effect if you become mentally incompetent

If you do not have a power of attorney and become unable to manage your personal or business affairs, it may become necessary for a court to appoint one or more people to act for you.  If a court proceeding is needed, then you may not have the ability to choose the person who will act.  With a power of attorney, you choose who will act and you define their authority and limits, if any.  Our team of attorneys is here to create any of the above documents that you need.