Powers of Attorney
The most powerful document you'll sign.
1
What makes a Power of Attorney "durable"?
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Incapacity coverage: A standard power of attorney stops working if you become mentally or physically incapacitated.
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Continuity: A "durable" power of attorney explicitly includes a special clause stating that the agent's legal authority continues even if the principal loses the capacity to make decisions.
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Death limitation: Even though it survives incapacity, a durable power of attorney ends immediately when the principal dies
2
Should financial and medical powers of attorney be separate documents?
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Separate functions: Financial POAs manage bank accounts, bills, and property, while healthcare POAs handle medical treatments and hospital choices.
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Privacy: Separate documents prevent medical providers from seeing your private financial details and keep financial institutions out of your private medical history.