Powers Of Attorney

Lawyers for Advance Directives

A power of attorney is a vital estate planning tool which allows you to pick someone you trust to handle certain matters should you become incapacitated. These legal instruments can also be used in cases where you are traveling and would like to designate someone else to handle specific issues while you are out of the country. Several types of powers of attorney exist, and they each have specific purposes.

To fully understand the various powers of attorney, and to put such a tool to use, it is important to consult with a reputable legal professional who handles such matters. At the Daly Mills Family Law and Estate Planning, we have been providing assistance to individuals and families across North Carolina for more than a decade. Our powers of attorney lawyers can sit down with you to review your situation and draw up the necessary documents that provide the tailored planning you need.

Connect with our attorneys by calling (704) 878-2365 for a consultation or contact us online today.

What Is A Power Of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual to appoint another to act for them if they should become incapacitated. They are asked to perform a variety of tasks which include:

• Making financial decisions
• Making healthcare decisions, including giving, withholding, or stopping medical treatments
• Recommend a guardian

It is important to start considering appointing a power of attorney earlier in life to fulfill the principal’s wishes. The attorneys at the Daly Mills Family Law and Estate Planning are experienced in the process and can help you figure out which type of power of attorney suits your needs. Call us today for a consultation!

Various Types Of Powers Of Attorney

Powers of attorney (POA) can be created to handle your financial affairs or other life affairs when you are unable to do so. For instance, a power of attorney that gives your chosen agent the right to handle your financial affairs may be authorized to handle your banking transactions, file your taxes, enter your safety deposit boxes, buy and sell real estate, purchase life insurance, and more.

These documents can have many purposes. However, four main types of powers of attorney exist.

These include:

• Limited powers of attorney, which are created for a very specific purpose and only that purpose, such as a temporary healthcare POA or a POA that allows your named agent to sign a document for you when you are out of town.
• Health care powers of attorney, which appoint someone to handle your health care decisions, whether they are specific or general, should you become incapacitated. A health care agent appointed under a health care power of attorney makes decisions related to your personal needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and health care decisions.
• Durable powers of attorney, which appoint someone to manage your affairs, whether they are general or specific, even after you become incapacitated. It is effective the moment you sign it and will end when you pass away.
• Springing powers of attorney, which allow your agent to act on your behalf when and only when you become incapacitated.

It is vital that you fully understand the powers and rights you are granting to another person and that you choose your agent carefully. You want to have someone you trust to make critical financial, healthcare, and other life decisions on your behalf.

We provide personalized legal services and strategies for all North Carolina residents, in the areas where they need an experience most, including:

• Asset Protection
• Elder Law
• Estate Administration and Probate
• Estate Planning
• Guardianships
• Medicaid and Long-Term Planning
• Special Needs Planning
• Wills and Trusts

Other Advance Directives In North Carolina

In addition to powers of attorney, the state of North Carolina has several other options for advance directives, or documents that state your wishes in case of incapacity or for end-of-life care.

These include:

• Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death, which states you do not desire to have your life prolonged by extraordinary measures should you enter a vegetative state or otherwise have a terminal illness
• Advance Instruction for Mental Health Treatment, which states your preferences and instructions regarding your mental health treatment, or outlines your refusal of mental health treatment
• Declaration of an Anatomical Gift, this is better known as an organ donation card and states your wish to donate any or all parts of your body at death

Except for a declaration of an anatomical gift, all directives must be notarized before they are submitted to the secretary of state. Additionally, you can revoke your directives at any time.

Ensure Your Wishes Are Followed With A Power Of Attorney

At the Daly Mills Family Law and Estate Planning, we are here to help make your POAs, advanced directives, and other estate planning tools understandable and tailored to your exact needs. We urge you to contact us to discuss your situation so that we can help you make the right decisions for the future.

Contact us at (704) 878-2365 to get started with our estate planning lawyers in North Carolina.