Knowing you can depend on a trusted relative or friend to make your medical and financial decisions if need be is important, especially as you grow older. However, no matter what your age, powers of attorney (POA) for healthcare and finances will provide you with...
Does your family know your preferences for end-of-life care?
If you are like many Americans, you may have put off speaking with your doctor and loved ones about your wishes for end-of-life care. However, having those difficult conversations is important. In addition to ensuring that health care providers know your treatment...
Why nearly everyone needs a power of attorney
People are often confused about a power of attorney (POA) and are unsure what power it conveys to the individual you appoint to be your POA. They are even more surprised to learn that some people have multiple people serving as their powers of attorney, each in...
Why you need a Medical Power of Attorney
When you think of estate planning, you probably think of drawing up a will. Decisions about the division and distribution of your assets are the common focus. You should also consider establishing both a power of attorney and medical power of attorney during the...
What do “springing” and “durable” mean?
Power of attorney is a cornerstone of any complete estate plan. Power of attorney allows another person to manage your finances (and potentially other legal matters) in the event that illness or injury incapacitates you. When creating a power of attorney document, you...
Reducing your risks of power of attorney abuse
The reassurance of having someone you trust to help make important decisions on your behalf following your incapacitation can relieve a lot of pressure as you age. However, there is no guarantee that whomever you select as your power of attorney will perform with...
How should I choose a medical power of attorney?
While it can be unpleasant to think about the end of your life, doing so is an essential part of the estate planning process. Along with deciding how you would like your assets to be handled after you are gone, you must also consider the type of health care you desire...
Important facts about a power of attorney
When developing a robust estate plan, people in Virginia may consider developing more than just a will or a trust. These documents, while important, may not offer all of the assistance needed down the road. A durable power of attorney may complement a will, trust or...
Even young people need estate planning
Many people in Virginia associate estate planning tools like wills and trusts with people at older stages of their lives. However, the reality of the matter is that even a person in their 20s or 30s can benefit from some form of estate planning. At any given time, a...
What do I require to set up a power of attorney?
Various reasons may lead people to want to create a power of attorney, such as when planning an estate or when preparing to become hospitalized. There are several legal steps that you need to satisfy when establishing a power of attorney in Virginia. You have the...
