What's a Power of Attorney?

• The power of Attorney gives legal authority to another person ("Agent") to make property, financial and other legal decisions on your behalf. The Power of Attorney is frequently used to help in the event of illness, disability, or in legal transactions where you cannot be present to sign necessary legal documents.

There are three types of Power of Attorney:


• A "Nondurable" Power of Attorney takes effect immediately and remains in effect until it is revoked by you, or until the time you may become mentally incompetent or die.
• A "Durable" Power of Attorney enables the Agent to act on your behalf even after your mental incapacitation or physical disability has passed. It may be used immediately, and is effective until it is revoked by you, or upon your death.
• A "Springing" Power of Attorney becomes effective at a future time. That is, it "springs up" upon the happenings of a certain event specified by you. It remains in effect until your death, or until it is revoked by a court.

Based upon your needs and wishes we will help you put together a Power of Attorney that will grant any, or all, of the following legal powers to the person you trust to handle them:


• Buy or sell your real estate
• Manage your property
• Conduct your banking transactions
• Invest, or not invest, your money
• Make legal claims and conduct litigation
• Attend to tax and retirement matters
• Make gifts on your behalf


• Power of Attorney cannot be use to make medical decisions. A separate document called Health Directive can be prepared by our staff to help you appoint an agent who will handle your health decisions and let your loved ones know of your final wishes.

Your signature on the Power of Attorney must be witnessed by a Notary Public, a service we will gladly provide to you free of charge.