What is a Power of Attorney (POA)?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone the authority to act on behalf of another person.
In an ideal world, you will be able to make every important decision in your life, whether it has to do with your finances or even your healthcare.
Life is unpredictable and you do not know if you will ever be put into a position where you will not be able to make these decisions.
Without a power of attorney (POA) in place, the important decisions necessary for your health and well-being or that of your family can be left to the courts, who may base their decisions on Arizona’s laws, probate estate, or otherwise, instead of your wishes.
To prevent such a situation, you can put a power of attorney in place to protect yourself.
The Arizona power of attorney lawyers at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. can assist you in creating a durable power of attorney to manage your finances and keep your obligations satisfied.
In addition, most people also find that a health care power of attorney is also an appropriate document to have in place so that your designated agent may monitor and oversee your health care needs should you become incapable.
These same powers may be granted to someone for purposes of overseeing one’s mental health decisions via a mental health power of attorney.
To find out more about powers of attorney, call us at (480) 467-3434.
Types of Powers of Attorney
There are three main types of powers of attorney, all of which may be created based on your estate planning goals. Each type with a brief definition, as provided by Arizona Revised Statutes 14-5501, 36-3221 and 36-3281 respectively, are as follows:
- Durable power of attorney – a written instrument where an adult, also referred to as a principal, designates someone as their agent to make decisions, such as financial decisions, on their behalf should they become incapacitated or disabled and/or regardless of how much time has elapsed, unless a point of termination is established.
- Health care power of attorney – a written instrument where an adult may designate another adult or group of adults to make decisions regarding health care on their behalf or to make funeral and other arrangements in the event of their death.
- Mental health power of attorney – a written instrument where an adult may designate another adult or group of adults, who will act as the agent(s), to make mental health care decisions on their behalf.
Helping You Make the Right Decisions
Protecting yourself and your assets is of the utmost importance.
A Power of Attorney is the device that you may put in place now in the event of your incapacity.
Designating someone who can take control and govern your finances and/or make important healthcare decisions can give you peace of mind in the event you become unable to manage them on your own.
At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our powers of attorney lawyers can help you take all the necessary precautions and make all the necessary decisions to ensure that you and your family are protected.
To learn more about your options, contact us today for a consultation.
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