What would happen if you were in a car accident or suffered a stroke, and could no longer manage your finances or make medical decisions? Without a Power Of Attorney, your loved ones may lack legal authority to help and have to turn to a court to appoint a guardian or conservator to manage your affairs. That process is expensive, time-consuming, and public—exactly what most people want to avoid.
At ELG Estate Planning, we help individuals and families in Spokane Valley avoid these unnecessary legal complications. We can help you create a Durable Power Of Attorney that protects you, your wishes, and your loved ones.
The attorneys at ELG Estate Planning have decades of collective experience helping Washington residents plan for their futures. We can offer concrete and practical advice on Power Of aAttorney matters and ensure your Power Of Attorney documents mesh with the rest of your estate plan. We have helped thousands protect their legacies and want to help you next.
Contact our offices online to speak to an estate planning attorney serving Spokane Valley regarding Power Of Attorney documents.
A Power Of Attorney is a legal document in which one person (the principal) names another (the agent or Attorney-in-Fact) to make decisions on their behalf. A Power Of Attorney effectively grants another person decision-making authority over another’s life. The point of a Power Of Attorney is so that a person can name someone they trust to make decisions consistent with their values and ideals.
For instance, imagine you are unconscious due to a medical emergency, your designated agent would have the authority to make decisions regarding your medical care.
Washington residents can tailor their Power Of Attorney to suit their specific needs. Principals can define exactly when the agent’s authority goes into effect as well as the scope. The duration that a Power Of Attorney is in effect depends on the kind of document:
Both types are revoked upon the principal’s death or by a formal revocation while the principal still has capacity.
You can also define the scope of authority by choosing between financial, medical, or general Powers Of Attorney:
A Financial Power Of Attorney names an agent specifically to make decisions regarding your finances, such as paying bills, selling assets, making bank deposits/withdrawals, or collecting benefits. This document is essential for avoiding financial disruption if you’re ever unable to manage your accounts.
A Healthcare Power Of Attorney allows your agent to make healthcare decisions if you are unable to communicate. The agent may decide on surgeries, medications, hospital admissions, or end-of-life care. To be most effective, this document should be durable and used alongside a Living Will or Advance Healthcare Directive.
A Healthcare Power Of Attorney names someone to make healthcare decisions for you, while a Living Will (or Advanced Healthcare Directive) outlines your specific treatment preferences in end-of-life scenarios. The Living Will serves as a guide for your healthcare agent. Used together, these documents offer a strong framework to ensure your healthcare preferences are honored.
Washington law establishes a few requirements for a Power Of Attorney to be deemed legally valid, as follows:
Witnesses must be adults and cannot be the agent, related to the agent, or employed by the principal’s care facility. Additionally, any Power Of Attorney naming a spouse as agent is automatically revoked upon divorce or legal separation.
You can find all the legal requirements for a valid Power Of Attorney in Washington’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Washington State passed the act in 2017 to resolve ambiguities and inconsistencies in how the state handled agent decision-making authority.
Nobody likes to think about becoming incapacitated, but it’s important to have a plan. A Power Of Attorney protects your autonomy, minimizes legal complications for loved ones, and gives you peace of mind. Specific benefits include:
Without a Power Of Attorney, the court may need to appoint a guardian or conservator to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and public—and it may not result in the appointment of the person you would have chosen. This person is typically, but not necessarily, a close family member or friend.
In some cases, the court may appoint one person to handle both medical and financial matters, even if they are not suited to do so. Having tailored Power Of Attorney documents ensures the right people are empowered to act for you, in the areas they’re best suited to handle.
ELG Estate Planning has decades of experience helping Spokane Valley residents plan for their future through smart and efficient planning. We help Spokane Valley residents take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families. Whether you’re creating your first Power Of Attorney or updating older documents, we can help you make informed decisions about the right structure and scope.
Our attorneys listen closely to your goals and design documents that reflect your priorities. We’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful planning can ease burdens on families during difficult times, and we’re here to help you do the same.
A Power Of Attorney is just one part of a complete estate plan. Your plan should include multiple documents—such as a Will, a Trust, a Medical Directive, and beneficiary designations—that work together to carry out your wishes. We take a comprehensive approach to ensure your power of attorney aligns with your broader estate planning strategy and supports your long-term goals.
Power Of Attorney documents are a critical component of your estate planning and require thoughtful consideration. You can find Generic Power Of Attorney template documents online, but these are often insufficient to safeguard your wishes. An estate planning attorney from ELG Estate Planning can create unique documents tailored to your situation.
At ELG Estate Planning, our goal is empowering futures. Contact us online or call today to schedule a case consultation with a Power Of Attorney lawyer serving Spokane Valley and begin the process of protecting your interests.
