Get a Power of Attorney in Carlsbad
What Is a Power of Attorney? Why Do You Need One?
A power of attorney is a document used to appoint a person or organization
to the management of your affairs if you become unable to do so yourself.
There are different types of powers of attorney that offer varying levels
of control. We have dedicated the rest of this page to discussing each
of those in more detail.
Keep reading to learn about your options for establishing a power of attorney
in California, and then contact us at
(858) 371-5569 to establish your own power of attorney.
General Power of Attorney
A general power of attorney gives wide-ranging powers to a person or organization
to take actions on your behalf, such as financial and business transactions,
purchasing life insurance, settling claims, operating business interests,
making gifts and hiring professional help.
If you plan to be out of the country and need someone to handle specific
matters, a general power of attorney puts those measures in place. A general
power of attorney is frequently part of an
estate plan, as it ensures that someone is lined up to carry out financial matters
on your behalf.
A general power of attorney ends when a person becomes mentally incapable
to handle his/her own affairs as a result of sickness or injury.
Non-Durable Power of Attorney
If you need a specific task completed and you’re unable to do it
yourself, a non-durable power of attorney enables you to designate someone
to act on your behalf. For example, establishing a non-durable power of
attorney authorizes someone to sign or execute dealings or documents on
your behalf.
Durable Power of Attorney
This is similar to a general power of attorney, which one key exception:
A durable power of attorney does not end when you become incapacitated.
To get this type of power of attorney, you are required to show in the
document that you intend for the powers to continue despite incapacity.
Limited Power of Attorney
If you have business to conduct but you lack the expertise or capacity
to do so, a limited power of attorney enables you to designate someone
to act as a sort of “second in command” to you. It can give
your second in command the power to perform tasks such as entering into
contracts, making investment decisions, filing taxes, claiming inheritance,
managing banking, buying and selling real estate and making health decisions
on your behalf.
Medical Power of Attorney
This is a type of health care advance directive in which you appoint a
person to make medical treatment decisions for you when you cannot make
them for yourself. The person you name is called your agent, proxy, representative
or surrogate. You can also include instructions for decision-making.
When choosing a medical power of attorney, it’s wise to consider
someone who is willing to ask questions of medical professionals, and
who can set aside their own feelings in order to carry out your desires
regarding your health.
Without a medical power of attorney, the court will determine who will
make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Springing Power of Attorney
This type of power of attorney is named springing because it “springs”
into action should you become incapacitated.
