TK Law in Longwood, Florida, understands the importance of protecting our clients' dignity, privacy, and ability to control their own lives. Anyone who values these ideals should have an estate plan that include documents such as a power of attorney or a living will in place.
Powers of attorney and living wills allow individuals to delegate important decisions involving medical care and financial considerations to someone they trust.
Essentially, these underestimated documents allow people to determine how to control their finances and healthcare, and end of life concerns with dignity and privacy. After an initial consultation, our estate planning lawyer will craft an estate planning package with you that may include power of attorney or a living will.
Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376).
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a document that allows a person, the principal, to appoint another individual as their agent. This agent, who is also called an attorney-in-fact, can perform certain authorized acts on behalf of the principal.
These acts may range from dealing with bank records, or signing checks to important healthcare decisions, depending on the circumstances. Powers of attorney may grant broad authority to the agent, or may limit the authority to certain particular situations.
Because of the wide discretion of authority that may be granted through a power of attorney, they are a useful estate planning tool. Contact TK Law to draft a power of attorney and schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney.
Durable Power of Attorney
Generally, the authority granted under a power of attorney terminates when the principal becomes incapacitated. A durable power of attorney remains in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated or mentally incompetent.
One of the benefits of a durable power of attorney is that it allows you to prepare for the possibility that you may be unable to manage your financial, medical, or personal affairs. What happens if you are in a car wreck and you lose consciousness? A durable power of attorney provides a safeguard.
Another important function of a durable power of attorney is that it may you help avoid a future guardianship proceeding if you are incapacitated. A guardianship is a court proceeding in which the court appoints someone, who may be a stranger, to handle your personal or financial affairs.
Guardianships may also place an additional financial burden on your family. Meet with an attorney at TK Law to discuss the advantages of a durable power of attorney, and the possibility of guardianship.
Power of Attorney for Medical Care
A power of attorney for healthcare allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you, in the event that you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to make medical decisions. This may be an especially useful tool to assist in obtaining medical records.
The greatest advantage of a medical power of attorney is that it allows people to maintain control over their destiny, and allows you to appoint a loved one to make medical decisions, rather than relying on hospitals and policy. An estate planning attorney at TK Law can work with you to draft a medical power of attorney to meet your specific needs.
Living Will
Do you want to be kept alive artificially? Do you want to remain on life support if you are in a vegetative state?
Depending on your beliefs, a living will is often the single most important estate planning tool. A living will allows you to dictate the terms of your end of life.
The living will essentially is a written expression of your wishes relating to the use of extraordinary measures to extend your life when there is no reasonable expectation that you will regain consciousness or recover.
Power of Attorney for Financial or Property Transactions
You may also utilize a power of attorney to allow you agent to assist in handling your finances in the event that you are unable to. If you were in an auto accident tomorrow, who would write out your bills, pay your rent, or file your taxes?
If you are ever incapacitated, a power of attorney is an essential estate planning tool for your financial wellbeing; unfortunately, once you are incapacitated it is already too late. Plan ahead with TK Law.
Contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Today
At TK Law we believe that the purpose of estate planning is to protect your family money, while preserving your dignity, privacy, and ability to control your life. If you have questions about powers of attorney or other estate planning tools, contact an estate attorney at our law firm to schedule a consultation: 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376).