Fairfax Power of Attorney Lawyer
If a person is worried about their future or the future of their loved ones, they may elect to give another person power of attorney. Life is fragile, and there is no way to guarantee you will always be of sound mind and body, but if you are not, the person you give power of attorney to will be able to make important decisions on your behalf.
Planning for the worst is not fun, especially when the worst-case scenario involves death or severe injury, but by working with an experienced Fairfax power of attorney lawyer, you can simplify the process and ensure your wishes are carried out if you are not able to make decisions. Work with a compassionate trust and estates attorney that could keep your best interests in mind and advocate for you.
What is Power of Attorney?
Simply put, a person who has power of attorney will make decisions for the person who gave them the power if they become incapacitated in some manner. When drafting a document, individuals can decide how much or how little power they wish to give to a person, but in general, many people decide to give others the power to do the following if they become incapacitated:
- Decide how their funds and properties are managed and distributed
- Make legal decisions on their behalf
- Make important medical and end-of-life decisions for them
- Make business decisions on their behalf
The person with power of attorney is expected to act in the best interest of the person who gave them power.
Medical and End-of-Life Decisions
It can be a good idea for a person to give someone else power of attorney for medical decisions. In general, a medical power of attorney is not used until an individual can no longer express their own decisions for medical treatment. Individuals with power of attorney for medical decisions will usually have the power to:
- Offer or deny consent for medical care
- Choose what healthcare facilities a person goes to
- Choose which doctors and medical professionals a person can see
- Allow or turn away visitors
- Decide how remains will be handled after their death
It is important to note the document often also waives the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) so that the named agent can review medical records and converse with treating medical professionals.
How to Give Another Person Power of Attorney
Creating a document giving another person power of attorney is fairly simple. Because the power given in a power of an attorney can be broad and the attorney-in-fact may have no supervision, an individual may wish to speak with a Fairfax power of attorney lawyer for assistance.
When giving a person power of attorney, individuals should keep the concept of “durability” in mind. If a person makes the power “durable,” it means the power of attorney survives the grantor’s incapacity and can be used after the individual loses the capacity to make their own decisions.
Talking to a Fairfax Power of Attorney Attorney
Granting another person power of attorney may seem simple, but the power the document yields is great. A Fairfax attorney can assist you with understanding the ramifications of signing the document and ensure that it includes only the powers you are comfortable assigning. Contact a Fairfax power of attorney lawyer to learn more today.