Los Angeles Power of Attorney for Medical and Financial Situations
Power of attorney is an important legal document that gives someone else authority to act on your behalf. This person (your agent) is chosen by you. With the help of an attorney, you define their legal powers.
Why Would I Need Power of Attorney?
As we get older, we may experience issues that affect our decision-making capabilities. These include Alzheimers, dementia, and strokes. Older people may be prone to auto accidents which cause physical disabilities.
Power of attorney is a necessary legal document in these situations. You may assume close family members can act on your behalf in the event of an emergency. But without a power of attorney, this is not correct.
Even married people should not assume their spouse automatically has the right to make decisions about their medical or financial affairs.
Without establishing a California power of attorney, decisions could be made by medical providers, or even court room intervention. . This is a risk you should not take.
Whether you are a single parent or a married spouse, it is important to appoint someone you trust to make important decisions for you.
CA Power of Attorney Essentials
A CA lawyer for power of attorney (POA) grants a chosen agent authority to make decisions on your behalf. This may include both healthcare and financial decisions.
To plan effectively for your estate, it is essential you understand how this document works and the powers it grants. Your power of attorney document must be certified by a notary public to be valid.
This formality is essential, especially when dealing with sensitive decisions related to nursing home care or advanced healthcare planning.
Power of Attorney for Financial Matters
A financial power of attorney allows your selected representative legal authority to act on your behalf regarding financial matters.
This person is typically known as your agent, or attorney-in-fact. Your agent is required to make the best decisions for you when you are not able.
These may be business operation decisions or transactions, managing investments, or signing other financial documents. Whatever the decision, your agent is always required to act in your best interest.
Financial Decision Making Through California Financial Power of Attorney
Our financial power of attorney lawyer in California can provide your appointed agent legal authority to handle your affairs.
This type of medical and financial power of attorney in California is crucial, as it ensures that your needs continue to be met. This is especially important if you are incapacitated or residing in a nursing home.
Depending on your needs, the powers granted to your agent can be broad or more specific. Be sure to select a trustworthy and honest agent, who has your best interests at heart.
At Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we will help define your agent’s powers, to protect your estate and financials. We will also ensure their powers align with the California Probate Code, so your power of attorney is effective.
General Power of Attorney vs. Limited Power of Attorney in California
Not all Powers of Attorney grant the same powers. A general power of attorney gives your appointed agent authority to act on your behalf for every one of your legal needs. If you opt for a limited power of attorney, your agent can only act on your behalf for certain needs.
For example, you may designate someone to act on your behalf in the following legal areas:
- Tax filing
- Real estate transactions
- Medical decisions during surgery
In these examples, you would work with an attorney to clearly define the scope and timeframe of your power of attorney.
Power of Attorney for Health Care
By itself, Medical Power of Attorney is an example of a limited Power of Attorney. However, if you grant someone general power of attorney, they will also have authority to make medical decisions on your behalf.
When you have a medical power of attorney in California, your assigned agent is responsible for making medical decisions for you in an emergency.
Be sure to make health care directives as detailed as possible. This includes issues such as cremation and organ donation.
Navigating Medical Decisions with California Medical Power of Attorney
The California medical power of attorney is a specialized form of healthcare power of attorney. It focuses on medical treatment decisions, if you become unable to communicate your wishes.
Medical power of attorney is a key component of an advanced health care directive. Because of this, it’s especially important that older people begin planning for medical power of attorney. Doing so enables you to outline your preferences for treatment types and end-of-life care.
Again, it’s important to select someone you trust to serve as your agent. When selecting an agent, ensure they fully understand your healthcare values and are prepared to act in your best interest.
When Does Medical Power of Attorney Take Effect?
The document takes effect either immediately or once a doctor declares you lack the capacity to make your health care decisions for yourself.
With the assistance of a Los Angeles lawyer, setting up a power of attorney for health care is the right thing to do. Make sure to legally implement all of your health care wishes should an emergency arise.
Power of Attorney is a Comprehensive Part of Estate Plan
It’s a sad truth that unexpected accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone. Establishing a power of attorney so that someone is able to manage your affairs in case of an emergency is always a good choice.
Contact our Los Angeles Attorney today. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 818-676-9572, or complete our online contact form. Have your power of attorney law questions answered today!
