At some point in your life, you might become unable to manage your own financial affairs or make your own health care decisions. Careful estate planning can help make sure that people you trust will have the authority to make these important decisions on your behalf.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows you to give a person you trust the authority to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. A power of attorney typically gives an agent authority to handle bank accounts, sell real property, run a business, and apply for public benefits, among other things. You can determine what kind of authority, and how much of it, to give to your agent. You can also determine whether your agent’s authority will become active immediately or only in the event that you become incapacitated. (learn more)
Advance Directive
An advance health care directive allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. For example, your agent might need to decide where you live, what medical treatment you receive, and whether or not to prolong your life. In your advance directive, you can also nominate a guardian for yourself and specify under which conditions you wish to prolong, or not prolong, your life.
How Can Piccolo Law Offices Help?
Powers of attorney and advance directives are included in my estate planning packages. If you only want to prepare one of these documents individually, or both together, then I can still help you. Contact me to let me know what you need.