A power of attorney is among the most common estate planning documents. You probably have some idea what a power of attorney is and how one works; however, do you know what a “durable” power of attorney is? Because it is important that you do, the Tucson estate planning lawyers at Morris Hall PLLC explain what a durable power of attorney is so you can decide if you need one.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney, or POA, is a legal document that allows you (referred to as the “Principal”) to grant another person (the “Agent”) the legal authority to act on your behalf. The type and extent of the legal authority you grant to an Agent depends on the type of POA you execute.
General vs. Limited Power of Attorney
A general POA grants your Agent almost unlimited power to act on your behalf. This means that your Agent may be able to do things such as withdraw funds from your financial accounts, sell property and assets owned by you, and even enter into contracts in your name while the POA is in effect. Because of the broad authority you grant to an Agent when you execute a general POA it is imperative that you think long and hard before doing so.
A limited POA only grants to your Agent the limited, and specific, authority enumerated in the POA. For example, you might grant an Agent the specific power of attorney to act on your behalf at an upcoming auction for a plot of land you hope to purchase because the auction is scheduled for a date when you will be out of the state. In addition, parents of minor children frequently make use of a limited POA to grant a caregiver the authority to consent to medical care for a child, should it be needed, during the limited period that the parents are away.
What Does It Mean to Make a Power of Attorney Durable?
Historically, a power of attorney automatically terminated upon the death or incapacity of the Principal. The problem with that was that for many people, the entire point of executing a POA was that they wanted a loved one to have the authority to act for them in the event of their incapacity. If, however, the POA automatically terminates upon the incapacity of the Principal, executing the POA will not fulfill that purpose. With that in mind, the concept of a durable power of attorney began to evolve. A “durable” POA is simply a power of attorney that survives the incapacity of the Principal. If you are considering making a POA durable, ask yourself the following questions first: “Do I want the Agent named in my power of attorney to be able to control my finances and/or make decisions on my behalf if I am incapacitated?”
While a Durable General Power of Attorney grants your Agent a considerable amount of legal authority to act on your behalf, it does not grant your Agent the authority to make medical or health care decisions on your behalf. For that, you need to execute a special type of document known as an advance directive.
Given the potential authority and power given to an Agent when you execute a power of attorney of any kind, always consult with your estate planning attorney before doing so.
Contact Tucson Estate Planning Lawyers
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions about including a durable power of attorney in your estate plan, contact the experienced Tucson estate planning lawyers at Morris Hall PLLC by calling 888-222-1328 to schedule your free consultation today.
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
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