Power of Attorney (POA)

If an aging loved one has not named a durable power of attorney and is losing their ability to think clearly and handle aspects of their daily life due to a medical condition like dementia, it might be time to seek legal guardianship.

An advance medical directive is a legal document that identifies a person’s health care preferences in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves. Advance care planning provides invaluable guidance and peace of mind for family members.

Power of attorney (POA) documents are an important part of a person's legal plans. The way a POA is written determines when it goes into effect and specifies what powers the agent holds.

Seniors and their caregivers are prone to many unique legal challenges. Learn about the most common elder law issues families face and why it's important to enlist the help of an elder law attorney in a senior's care planning.

Eliminate the issue of potential disagreements about your future care by naming a single individual in the health care directive.

A do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) is an advance care planning document that specifies what potentially life-sustaining medical interventions a person does not want to receive. A basic DNR order usually states a patient’s wish to avoid undergoing CPR.

A legal guardian can be responsible for overseeing an incompetent elder’s personal well-being, financial well-being or both. These duties may seem straightforward, but guardianship is a very serious commitment.

Advance care planning can make a critical difference in the lives of your parents as they age. An elder law attorney can help your elderly parents with advance directives, wills, living trusts and power of attorney before they get sick.

When acting as power of attorney (POA) for a loved one, your signature must make it clear that you are acting on their behalf and not assuming personal responsibility for the contract or transaction.

A lawsuit brought against legendary singer Glen Campbell, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, highlights the serious responsibilities that develop when we delegate authority with a POA.

Appointing someone to manage your finances and medical care is a serious decision. Before settling on an agent, consider how they might handle these responsibilities and the major consequences their actions could have.

Power of attorney forms are widely available online, but these forms aren’t meant to be one-size-fits-all. There are a few key points to consider before deciding against working with an elder law attorney to draw up a customized POA document.

Understand the specifications of your POA document to avoid unnecessary strife regarding important medical and financial decisions.

Power of attorney forms are a crucial part of planning for future health care needs and financial decisions, but it is important to understand how these legal documents can be drafted and the effects they can have on family relationships.

Does a person or adult child need power of attorney in order to request information from the medical staff at an elderly parent's nursing home or hospital?

When the “principal” (the person who signs a power of attorney document) dies, the POA terminates. A different type of legal authority then becomes necessary to gain access to the deceased’s assets and bank accounts.

If your mother is no longer able to provide care for your father and he is not competent to sign a durable power of attorney, petition the court to appoint a legal guardian and conservator.

Many people, like your elderly aunt, are afraid to deal with wills, powers of attorney, etc. because they think it makes it more likely that something bad will happen to them.

There are a few legitimate reasons why family members may want to change an aging loved one’s power of attorney designation, or remove themselves from their responsibilities as POA.

Take the time to have an honest conversation with adult children about appointing a power of attorney before you lose your ability to make decisions.