What is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document giving someone else the authority to make decisions for you about legal and financial matters.
There are generally two types of Powers of Attorney:
General Durable Power of Attorney — This document becomes active either immediately or upon your becoming incapacitated (you specify the type).
Springing Power of Attorney — This type becomes active only when a specific event occurs.
These documents remain in effect until you cancel them, until a specific date you set in the document, until a certain action is taken or until your death, depending on your designation. They do not prevent you from making your own decisions but give someone else the power to act for you. A power of attorney is different from an advance healthcare directive, which gives someone the authority to make healthcare decisions for you.
Powers of Attorney are frequently abused when someone unknowingly signs a power of attorney, giving someone else access to his or her assets or knowingly signs a power of attorney but the person receiving the power uses it to steal assets. Both are very serious abuses.
You can get a power of attorney by meeting with your attorney, discussing your wishes and signing a document that carries them out. A power of attorney is an essential part of your estate planning process, and The Keller Law Firm helps you complete comprehensive planning for your future and that of your family.
For more information, please call 661-291-1631 and visit www.kellerlawfirm.com.