Tri-Cities Power Of Attorney Services
Smart estate planning tools allow you to protect your financial interests and even give someone else the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. ELG Estate Planning’s Tri-Cities power of attorney services can help you:
- Prepare a General Durable Power of Attorney
- Prepare a Health Care Power of Attorney
Since 2006, we’ve helped clients just like you create power of attorney documents to safeguard their interests.
You might never need someone to act on your behalf, but if you do, you’ll have peace of mind that your estate plan offers you exceptional protection. It’s best to never leave your finances or health care needs up to the state to decide.
We proudly serve the Tri-Cities: Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and West Richland.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS TO HAVE?
A power of attorney document grants authority over your critical decisions to someone you trust. Your attorney-in-fact or agent, the person you appointed will only act and make decisions if you cannot make decisions on your own behalf.
For example, if you’re going into surgery your attorney-in-fact for health care (your health care agent) will speak to your doctors and act on your behalf. Once you are capable and of sound mind, you’re back in control of your own affairs.
We can help you prepare multiple power of attorney documents, including:
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Your financial affairs do not stop if you become incapacitated. Bills will pile up, rent or mortgage payments need to be made, and credit card payments must be made. A General Durable Power of Attorney for finances allows you to name a person, called an attorney-in-fact, to manage your finances for you.
The attorney-in-fact will have authority and access to your financial accounts to do things, such as:
- Pay for your health care
- File your taxes
- Maintain bank accounts
- Pay bills on your behalf
Your attorney-in-fact can even sell assets, if necessary, to meet your financial obligations. Our Tri-Cities power of attorney services can help you prepare a General Durable Power of Attorney so that your finances are properly handled when you cannot manage them on your own.
If you do not name your own attorney-in-fact, the court will appoint someone to handle your affairs for you.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
If you become incapacitated and can no longer make healthcare decisions, who will make them for you? Without a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, the court may appoint a guardian to make medical decisions on your behalf.
The court-appointed guardian may not be someone you would have chosen.
For this reason, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is one of the most important documents you can have in your estate plan. It ensures that your voice is heard even when you are unable to speak for yourself.
This essential estate planning document allows you to:
- Give your attorney-in-fact the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf
- Ensures your doctors and other healthcare providers receive directions for your care
ELG Estate Planning can help you prepare a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care that works with your General Durable Power of Attorney for finances to give you control through the trusted person(s) you’ve appointed over your medical care and finances in emergencies.
CAN I CREATE MY OWN POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTATION?
Power of attorney documents are readily available online, so technically, yes, you can take the do-it-yourself approach.
However, there are potential risks with taking this route. Unless you are an experienced estate planning and elder law attorney, you likely will overlook important aspects that can cause problems in the future.
For example:
- Do you know if a power of attorney document should be signed in front of a notary?
- Do you know what to do with this document after it’s signed?
- Do you know which types of power of attorney you need?
- Do you know what grants of authority must be included to allow assets to be protected?
While you can certainly do your research and draft your own documents, the outcome will be better and far less stressful if you work with an attorney.
An attorney will get to know you and your individual circumstances to ensure your power of attorney aligns with your wishes and goals.
Get in touch with us to find out if our Tri-Cities power of attorney services are right for you.
CAN A POWER OF ATTORNEY BE CHANGED?
Life can throw unexpected curveballs that force us to revisit our estate plans and make some adjustments. Just like with your Will, you can also change or update a power of attorney.
You may wish to do so if:
- You get married or divorced
- Your attorney-in-fact has passed away
- Your children have reached the age of majority
You can cancel or revoke your power of attorney any time you wish by giving written notice to your agent. For good measure, you can send copies of this notice to any healthcare provider or institution that might have or accept the old power of attorney.
You should sign a new power of attorney after the old one is revoked.
No matter your reasons for changing a power of attorney, it is worth considering hiring a lawyer to guide you through this process. An attorney will ensure that your revocation notice is drafted properly and can assist you with creating a new power of attorney.
TRI-CITIES POWER OF ATTORNEY SERVICES: CONTACT US
Powers of attorney allow a trusted person to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated and can no longer make decisions on your own.
To ensure your wishes are heard and your goals are met, it’s important to work with a capable and experienced attorney who can guide you through the process.
At ELG Estate Planning, our main area of focus is estate planning. We will help you understand why you need powers of attorney and how they apply to your unique situation.
Contact us to learn more about our Tri-Cities power of attorney services and to schedule a consultation.