Rogers, Minnesota, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives
Powers of attorney and health care directives are estate planning tools that can be established now to help address situations that can arise in the future. Financial powers of attorneys and health care directives are used when an individual is no longer able to make decisions or when they have reached an end-of-life situation. As skilled Wright, Sherburne and Anoka County power of attorney and health care directive lawyers, we can explain to you the types of directives available and how each type can assist you in the future.
An attorney from Martin & Wagner, P.A., can talk to you about your needs, goals and specific concerns. We will discuss how powers of attorney and health care directives can be beneficial for you. Many of our clients establish powers of attorney in conjunction with health care directives, formerly known as living wills.
Two Types of Powers of Attorney
Our skilled estate planning attorneys can advise you on the two types of powers of attorney. You can give someone power of attorney if you are traveling outside the country or in another similar scenario, but most often powers of attorney are established to address incapacity. The two types are as follows:
- Financial power of attorney gives another person authority to make decisions regarding your financial matters. These tasks can be as basic as paying your bills and balancing your checkbook and as complex as participating in a real estate transaction on your behalf.
- Power of attorney for delegation of parental authority gives another person authority to make decisions regarding the care, custody or property of your minor child. Unlike the financial power of attorney, which is valid until revoked or the principal dies, the Delegation of Parental Authority is only effective for one (1) year at a time.
When powers of attorney are established, the person who creates the document is called the principal. The person who is given decision-making authority is called an attorney-in-fact. The attorney-in-fact needs to be a competent adult. It is advisable that you choose someone you trust who is knowledgeable about your wishes regarding financial matters and the care of your children. You can name one person as attorney-in-fact for your financial decisions and a different person as attorney-in-fact for the temporary care of your children. Some people choose to name the same person to serve both roles, but that kind of authority (both to the same person) should be given with care. To avoid abuse of the authority (having sole control over both the finances and the children), it is generally better to name different individuals for those positions of authority. If you have any problems deciding who to ask to be your attorney-in-fact, one of the lawyers at our law firm can help you with the decision.
Health Care Directives
Health care directives, which were formerly known as living wills, provide directions to family members and physicians regarding your wishes during end-of-life care as well as in other critical medical situations in which you are unable to make your own decisions. If you are on life support, or if you are non responsive (in a coma for example), you will be unable to state your decisions regarding medical care and life support. In a health care directive, you state what you want to happen in the event these situations arise. While this can be a difficult decision to make, it can save your family and friends from making painful decisions if that time comes.
Contact Wright, Sherburne and Anoka County Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives Attorneys
Contact Martin & Wagner, P.A., by e-mail or call 763-515-8619 to schedule a free ½ hour consultation with an experienced Rogers, Minnesota, power of attorney and living will lawyer.
From our office in Rogers, we provide legal representation to clients throughout the Greater Metropolitan area, including Maple Grove, Albertville, Buffalo, St. Michael and other communities North and West of Minneapolis.
