Bristol, Connecticut, Lawyer Handling Powers of Attorney
Throughout the course of establishing a comprehensive estate plan, it is vital to consider creating a power of attorney to a trusted relative or other person. A power of attorney is a document that establishes that the "agent," an individual appointed by the "principal" can act on the principal's behalf for financial matters that are detailed in the document.
You might never be disabled or incapacitated and a power of attorney that you create may never be needed. However if you were unable to make decisions in the future because of Alzheimer's, a stroke or car accident, decisions about your finances or medical care would be made by family members whom you trust to look out for your best interests — rather than a conservator appointed by the court. This is essential to protecting your home and other assets for your spouse and possibly for your children.
A power of attorney is not necessarily a permanent designation. The document can specify a specific date at which the power of attorney appointment ends, or it can detail that the designation should remain until the principal regains competency. Contact a lawyer at our firm to learn whether your estate plan could benefit from a power of attorney.
At Ruggiero, Ziogas & Allaire, our firm provides guidance to clients seeking to establish a power of attorney document. A power of attorney is probably the most important stop you can take. Our power of attorney representation and advice is focused on ensuring that the document provides all the necessary powers to act in your best interests if you cannot communicate your needs yourself. From our office in Bristol, Connecticut, we represent clients in New Britain, West Hartford, Avon, Winsted, Barkhamsted, Waterbury, Cromwell, Canton and the surrounding communities.
There are several types of powers of attorney. Below are some of the more common types that our firm handles:
General Power of Attorney: This type of power of attorney allows the agent to conduct any financial business on behalf of the principal. The power of attorney document may be tailored to limit the power of attorney to certain types of transactions. Parties may treat the agent as the principal in authorized transactions.
Designation of Health Care Representative: Designating a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yourself, will allow you to receive the medical care you want.
Durable Power of Attorney: A durable power of attorney lasts after a person is incapacitated, allowing the agent to continue to make decisions for the principal until the principal can regain competency.
It is critically important to designate someone as having power of attorney in the event that you can no longer make decisions for yourself. Contact a lawyer at Ruggiero, Ziogas & Allaire today to learn more about how we can help you establish documents for a power of attorney for finances and a health care representative for health care and end-of-life decisions. We can also explain what an advanced health care directive is and how it may be beneficial for individuals that have Alzheimer's disease, mental illness or limited capacity.
