Anyone who signs a power of attorney (POA) will cede significant authority to the person named in the document. Given the variety of power of attorney forms and the potential for misuse of power, it is essential to retain a Houston power of attorney lawyer to ensure your rights remain protected.
An experienced estate planning attorney could provide a document that is as broadly- or narrowly-tailored as your situation requires. We could also help correct and replace flawed powers of attorney to enable all parties to move forward with a clear understanding of the authority and limits within the document. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation.
A Houston lawyer could prepare separate power of attorney documents that authorize a designated party to make financial or health care decisions on your behalf. Financial matters are addressed in a statutory durable power of attorney document that can be as broad or as limited as you need. A medical power of attorney gives your agent authority to direct the medical services that you receive when you are incapacitated and cannot make such decisions yourself. These documents always remain separate and distinct.
A durable power of attorney could authorize your agent, for example, to sign documents on your behalf for real estate purchases or sales, banking or securities transactions, insurance contracts, and government benefits or tax filings. Unless the power of attorney has an expiration date, it will remain in effect until you revoke it in writing.
A medical power of attorney, however, enables your agent to direct your health care team to continue or limit services that extend your life, manage your nutritional needs, or terminate your medical care altogether. A medical power of attorney is not the same as an end-of-life directive, although the two documents should be drafted simultaneously. Your end-of-life directive, which should be filed with your general practice physician, should reflect your desires for the efforts that your physicians should make to extend your life or to withhold extreme interventions. The individual you designate as your agent for health care decisions in your medical power of attorney should also have a copy of your end-of-life-directive, as it can provide objective guidelines for important decisions.
Your Houston lawyer could draft power of attorney documents diligently to ensure they are difficult to revoke. This may be desirable, for example, when the document is prepared for a specific purpose or transaction that has an uncertain timeline.
In some situations, you may find it necessary to terminate the authority that you granted to your agent because of:
An attorney from J. Lopez Law could draft your power of attorney documents with clear directions as to how they can be revoked or terminated, saving you time and resources if you later identify a need to terminate your agent’s power.
Before you authorize someone else to make decisions on your behalf, consult with a Houston power of attorney lawyer. Contact our team at J. Lopez Law today to get the advice you need for power of attorney documents that suit your particular needs. We look forward to working with you and ensuring your estate planning documents are in order and tailored to your unique needs.
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