Power of Attorney (POA)

One of the most powerful tools for managing your affairs should you become mentally incapacitated is a durable power of attorney (DPOA). Understand the legal powers and responsibilities of assigning and holding POA.

It is crucial to engage in proper legal planning with family members while they are still of sound mind. An elder law attorney outlines competency criteria that must be met in order to obtain valid legal documents before a crisis strikes.

Whether you’ve been named as someone else’s power of attorney (POA) or you’re looking to appoint one for yourself, know what rights, responsibilities and limitations come with this legal designation.

An estate plan that will safeguard a senior’s health and finances consists of a will, advance directives and powers of attorney. Familiarize yourself with these basic legal documents before estate planning begins.

It’s easy to purchase an affordable power of attorney form online, but this option comes with some risks. An elder law attorney can explain how this tool works, help you avoid pitfalls and customize POA documents to meet your unique needs.

One of the biggest challenges for long-distance caregivers is helping aging parents plan for their future health care preferences. Making advance care plans is a key step for your parent to take to be sure that their health care preferences are known.

In order to make most decisions on an aging loved one's behalf, you must be given the legal power to do so. A durable power of attorney is a document your relative executes that gives you specific legal powers to act on his or her behalf.

If you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s health and are involved in their daily care, it is very important to understand the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on caregiving for seniors.

Adding this one simple step when creating or changing a will, powers of attorney and other crucial legal documents can prevent unnecessary stress, legal problems and familial discord down the road.

Power of attorney documents allow caregivers to access personal information and make vital decisions for elderly loved ones, but some institutions require additional forms. See what other authorizations you may need to get.

Seniors and their caregivers often face legal issues that require professional counsel. Use these tips for hiring an elder law attorney who can help with government benefits, power of attorney or guardianship, estate planning, and more.

Whether you’re looking to help an aging loved one apply for veterans benefits and/or manage their payments and VA health care, the following tips are crucial to successfully navigating the VA system.

Sometimes even a legally prepared power of attorney (POA) document is refused by the bank. Know why financial institutions hesitate to grant POAs access to accounts and how to remedy this situation.

Helping a senior with their taxes this year? Get their financial affairs (and your own) in order early on to avoid unnecessary stress as tax day approaches.

Planning ahead benefits seniors and their family caregivers. Working with an attorney who specializes in elder law gives seniors peace of mind and allows family members to understand their roles and responsibilities before they must act on them.

What's a caregiver to do when their elderly parent refuses assisted living or nursing home care but isn’t safe at home? In some cases, guardianship may be an option.

When an aging loved one names you as their financial power of attorney (POA), you become responsible for two sets of finances: theirs and your own. Use these five pointers to simplify your job as POA for finances.

Encouraging aging loved ones to plan ahead legally and financially can make it easier for a trusted individual to step in and help them should they lose the ability to make decisions due to an unexpected diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Having the proper authorizations in place and information on hand can help you save time and lessen frustration when contacting Medicare about coverage, claims and payments.

If you anticipate needing to make medical decisions for elderly parents or your spouse in the future, make sure you have these 3 key legal documents in place.