A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person the power to act for another person. There are various reasons why a power of attorney may need to be established, and the team at the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen is here to help. When you need help establishing a power of attorney in Santa Clarita, we will stand by your side.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen
There are various reasons why a person may need to establish a power of attorney, and the process of setting this up can become complicated. When you have the team at the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen by your side, you will be getting a team that offers individualized attention for your family needs.
- Attorney Andrew Cohen will provide compassionate attention to you and your family when working to establish a power of attorney.
- At the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen, you can count on having a team by your side that can help you not only establish a power of attorney, but handle also any other estate planning needs you may have.
The Basic Reasons For Establishing A Power Of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows a principal to appoint an agent to act for them (the principal). The agent is expected to place the interests of the principal ahead of their own, which is why it is crucial to pick a trusted individual in these cases.
There are various reasons why a person would want to establish a power of attorney, and there are four basic types of power of attorney we want to discuss:
- General Power of Attorney: In these situations, an agent will be able to perform nearly all of the same actions as the principal, including opening, closing, and managing financial accounts and personal finances. A general power of attorney will be terminated if the principal becomes incapacitated, revokes the power of attorney, or passes away.
- Durable Power of Attorney: This type of arrangement will designate another person to act on behalf of the principal and includes a “durable” clause that allows the powers to remain in place if the principal becomes incapacitated.
- Special or Limited Power of Attorney: In these cases, the agent will have specific powers limited to a certain area. For example, the agent may have a power of attorney that grants them the authority to sell a home or other type of real estate.
- Springing Durable Power of Attorney: This type of power of attorney is created with a clause that allows it to “spring” into place when a certain event occurs. For example, a power of attorney may not be in effect unless a person becomes incapacitated.
Some of the types of actions that an agent may be granted in a power of attorney include:
- The ability to control a person’s finances:
- Access the principal’s finances to pay for healthcare, housing, etc.
- File taxes for the principal.
- Make investment decisions.
- Collect the principal’s debts.
- Manage the principal’s property.
- The ability to make medical decisions:
- Control the type of care a person receives or does not receive.
- Control which doctors and care providers the principal uses.
- Control where the principal lives (long-term care facilities)
Contact Us For A Consultation Of Your Case Today
If you or somebody you care about is seeking to establish a power of attorney over another individual, please seek assistance from an attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Andrew Cohen, we understand the laws surrounding power of attorney issues in California. We will handle every aspect of this process for you, including establishing the scope of the power of attorney and filing the documents with the court. When you need assistance establishing a power of attorney in Santa Clarita, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 661-481-0100.
