When should you use a power-of-attorney?

Frequently, individuals envision a power of attorney (POA) as a person you designate when you are close to death. When you create your will, your lawyer will provide you with papers to appoint a power of attorney. One common misconception for many people is that they think their spouses have the proper access to their important personal and financial information if something happens to them. This is not entirely true because joint assets, such as a house, cannot be sold without consenting, both parties first. For example, your wife is having a difficult time with paying your home, and she decides to sell it, she wouldn't be able to unless permission is granted from a designated power of attorney.

What is a power of attorney and why do we need one? A power of attorney is a person who is authorized to make either financial or medical decisions on your behalf while you are alive. Though many adults are capable to make sound decisions on their own, sometimes they may want additional help in case of a serious illness, or deemed incompetent to make choices on their own. A power of attorney form is signed and notarized to appoint a trusted family member that acts as and in place for the individual in set certain areas.

The most common type of power of attorneys is called a durable power of attorney. They handle financial, medical, and personal matters without any additional authority. There is often a second person to act as an attorney- in- fact, in case the first person is unable to continue his duties. Sometimes, each attorney- in -fact- may handle a designated duty such as one may handle financial matters while the other may handle only medical. The length of being a power of attorney varies on the situation. In cases where there is a person with a mental impairment or learning impairment a power of attorney may handle decisions over several periods of time. An individual who becomes sick and is incapable of making important choices, the power of attorney goes into effect when they are deemed incompetent until he, or she passes on or recovers. When an individual passes on, their will becomes intact.

Another common reason to use a power of attorney is if you are somewhere for several months, and you need someone to help manage things while you are away. A power of attorney is an excellent choice to assist you when needed. For example, an executive will be out of the country for a period of several months, he or she will need someone to take care of things at home or at work. This would not be possible without the assistance of a power of attorney.

These are just a few reasons why we could use the services of a power of attorney. In case if an unexpected event occurs, our individual needs will be tended to. We are not left to worry about how our situations will be taken care of again.

About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for The Cronfel Firm. Other articles written by the author related to Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel and Guillermo Ochoa Cronfel can be found on the net.