Powers of Attorney

Appointing a Power of Attorney Now Can Protect You Later

The aging process is different from person to person, of course. In some cases, you may face physical or mental incapacitation as you age or due to an unexpected injury or disease. Should the worst come to pass, you want to ensure that you’re well taken care of by a person you trust.

Helping Clients in Cherry Hill and Philadelphia

At Bratton Law Group, we want the very best for our clients. We have successfully drafted powers of attorney documents for people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We will make certain that, if the time should come when you are incapacitated, you have someone of your choosing looking out for you and making important decisions on your behalf.

Book a consultation today for assistance with your Power of Attorney.

Consider Both the Pros and Cons of a Power of Attorney

At Bratton Law Group, we help you evaluate the advantages and potential drawbacks of a power of attorney (POA) as part of a complete estate plan. Choosing the right person to act on your behalf under a durable power of attorney can empower a trusted individual to make vital decisions for you, both in financial and medical matters. By enacting a power of attorney now, you secure the right to select a representative of your choice while you remain in control. The consequences of not securing a power of attorney can vary. For instance, Pennsylvania law may require the court to appoint a guardian or conservator to make decisions on your behalf, and the court’s choice may not align with your personal wishes.

How a Power of Attorney Supports Medical Decisions

A power of attorney doesn’t just cover financial matters; it can also allow a trusted representative to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make these decisions yourself. Pennsylvania law permits you to designate a healthcare agent through a medical power of attorney to communicate with healthcare providers, make treatment decisions, and uphold your wishes regarding medical care.

Power of Attorney for College Students

Many families don’t realize that when their child turns 18, parents lose automatic access to make legal or financial decisions on their behalf. College students, in particular, may benefit from having a power of attorney in place to ensure their parents can manage essential matters. A durable power of attorney allows parents to handle unexpected situations, such as financial matters or medical issues, ensuring they can support their child effectively.

What Can a Durable Power of Attorney Cover?

When you establish a durable power of attorney, you authorize someone to act on your behalf in various financial and medical scenarios. These powers can include managing your bank accounts, signing or negotiating leases, buying or selling real estate and other personal property, and accessing your safe deposit box. It can also extend to managing your Social Security income, overseeing bill payments, handling insurance matters, and covering expenses like medical bills. By assigning a power of attorney, you ensure that someone you trust can handle these critical tasks according to your preferences.

Why Choose Bratton Law Group for Your Estate Planning Needs

Bratton Law Group provides thorough guidance on creating estate planning documents, including durable powers of attorney, to give you control over your financial and healthcare decisions. Our estate planning attorneys have the knowledge and experience needed to guide you through the process, explaining each step and helping you select a trusted representative. By planning ahead, you can maintain control over who will handle your affairs, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind about your future.

What You Don’t Know About Powers of Attorney May Surprise You

While the reasons for assigning a power of attorney may seem immediately apparent to those who are widowed or who live alone, there are innumerable benefits to doing so while married, too. This is because:

A spouse cannot automatically act on your behalf. When it comes to selling real estate or accessing medical records, even a spouse may need a Power of Attorney.
You have the power of choice. You can choose anyone you want to act as your power of attorney. A family member, a friend, a lawyer, or a banking institution, or the executive of your favorite organization can be your agent.
This is a legal document. A true power of attorney, one that is legally drafted, will hold up in court. The document must be in writing and clear with regard to exactly what you are allowing your agent to do on your behalf. If you choose more than one power of attorney, you must dictate how they are able to act.
Real estate deals have their own issues. If you use a power of attorney during a real estate transaction, the documents must be recorded with your deed in the local office that handles real estate matters.
You retain control over your medical affairs. A financial power of attorney can only control who handles your financial affairs. It doesn’t control how your medical affairs are handled. You need to prepare a medical directive or living will to manage your medical affairs.

Choosing the Power of Attorney Option that’s Right for You

You have multiple options when it comes to a power of attorney. When the time comes to make the decision, you want an estate planning lawyer who has the skills and experience to guide you toward the best possible option for you. Charles C. Bratton, II, Esq.. is a top-rated estate attorney who reviews and prepares all types of powers of attorney documents, including:

General Power of Attorney – A general power of attorney addresses your financial matters and is broad in scope.
Durable Power of Attorney – A durable power of attorney, properly drafted, allows your agent to act on your behalf even if you become incapacitated. You can change it any time prior to when you become incapacitated, but not after incapacitation.
Limited Power of Attorney – You can limit what your chosen agent can do. For example, if you lose your ability to walk, you may authorize your agent to retrieve documentation for you but not authorize the right to sign that documentation on your behalf.
Springing Power of Attorney – This type of document explains what events will determine when a power of attorney goes into effect in the case of incapacitation.
Healthcare Power of Attorney – A healthcare power of attorney designates an agent to make decisions on your behalf with regard to your health should you become unable to make those decisions or to properly communicate those decisions on your own.

Contact Bratton Law Group for Your Power of Attorney Needs

We invite you to talk to us about any or all of these options for drafting a power of attorney documents. We are also happy to advise you about how often you should update your documents and assist you with making any changes you deem necessary.

The experienced power of attorney lawyers at Bratton Law Group will ensure that your documents are prepared correctly.

Call 856 770 2744 or fill out our convenient online form to request a consultation. If necessary, we will visit elderly and disabled clients at their locations.