Greenwood Village Power of Attorney Lawyer

Powers of attorney documents are powerful tools used to give someone you trust, the ability to make decisions for you if you are unable to do so. While no one likes to think about disability or incapacitation, accidents happen. If you are lucky enough to not be affected by an accident, you will likely experience some sort of unplanned illness or injury, especially as you age. A Greenwood Village power of attorney lawyer can help you create these documents to protect your personal and financial affairs.

The Limbaugh Law Firm: Your Caring and Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

Powers of attorney are an important part of a basic or comprehensive estate plan, as they enable you to safeguard your well-being during medical treatment, manage your financial affairs, and handle other issues, all when you cannot address them. At The Limbaugh Law Firm, our goal is to help you control your future, by making your decisions known, with these documents.

For more than 25 years, attorney Oren “Von” Limbaugh has supported families and individuals in power of attorney cases, by either drafting documents that define the types of powers you wish to give to your agent, or by litigating your intentions in court to preserve your wishes. The Limbaugh Law Firm is comfortable navigating Colorado courts, including the Arapahoe District Court. Our team can guide you along each step of the process, whether you need to review existing documents or create them from scratch.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

Powers of attorney are documents that give another person, of your choosing, the legal right to do something on your behalf. The agent, or person given these powers, acts as if they were you. The agent’s powers may be limited to one event or be longstanding. Many people use powers of attorney to take actions like signing contracts or engaging in other transactions when they cannot do it themselves.

Durable Power of Attorney

Most power of attorney documents will end if the creator of the document becomes incapacitated or otherwise cannot exercise their legal capacity. In Colorado, durable power of attorney documents remain in effect if you are incapacitated for reasons such as injury or illness, and you cannot exercise your own legal rights.

The specifics of the agent’s powers will depend on what is outlined in the power of attorney document. When you meet with an attorney at The Limbaugh Law Firm, they will spend time getting to know your values and goals. Each power of attorney we draft for our clients is designed to protect and support their unique personal situation.

Types of Durable Powers of Attorney

The specific powers outlined in a power of attorney document can vary significantly, dealing with legal, financial, and/or medical needs.

You may choose one person to be the agent for all of your decisions, or you could name different people to make decisions about the separate aspects of your life. It’s crucial that the agent you choose is someone you trust. They will be responsible for these sensitive choices, so they should understand your wishes and follow your stated preferences. Two of the most common forms of durable powers of attorney include:

General Durable Power of Attorney

A general durable power of attorney (GPOA) document puts someone you trust, as your agent, in charge of financial management and decisions. Your agent is responsible for protecting, preserving, and applying your property for your benefit. Examples of what an agent may do include paying bills, applying for disability benefits, selling property, mortgaging property, and depositing checks. Essentially, the agent is given as much control over your property as you have, and then charged with using it for your benefit.

Because the power is durable, it remains effective if you become incapacitated and cannot make those choices yourself. Without having a GPOA in place, it can be much harder for your loved ones to secure the authority to manage your finances. You may also not trust certain individuals to manage your finances, and a GPOA gives you control over who manages your assets.

Medical Durable Power of Attorney

When you designate someone as your agent in your medical durable power of attorney (MPOA), they can make medical, healthcare, and placement decisions for you when you are unable to make those decisions. Your agent may make choices about pain management, end-of-life treatment, life-extending care, and directing physicians regarding treatment options.

The powers given to an agent in a durable power of attorney are not affected by an accident or illness that leaves you temporarily or permanently incapacitated. Unless a court order terminates the MPOA, your agent’s powers continue until you either revoke the power of attorney, or die. The agent’s powers do not survive your death.

A Living Will or Advanced Directive is often used with a Medical Durable Power of Attorney document. According to one survey, only 45% of Americans had a living will. This document specifies what kinds of treatment you want, or don’t want, if you have a terminal condition. Without an MPOA, your family must petition the court for the legal ability to make your medical decisions, or the court will appoint someone. It may not be someone you trust or who holds the same beliefs as you.

Why Should I Hire a Power of Attorney Lawyer?

Powers of attorney are an important element of an estate plan, because you get to decide who will be in control of important aspects of your life. They also keep your family and loved ones from having to navigate a complex court process at an overwhelming time. Because of their significance, they must be done properly and accurately represent your wishes.

With an experienced attorney, it is possible to create enforceable documents that will be upheld in the event of incapacitation. The Limbaugh Law Firm can review your current power of attorney documents and explain the benefits and drawbacks of certain decisions. We can also create new documents, tailoring them to your unique needs. With over 25 years of experience, we will design documents in a way that can prevent a power of attorney dispute.

At The Limbaugh Law Firm, we employ a straightforward estate planning process. We will take the time to get to know you so we can outline your goals and create a plan that upholds your ideals. Our goal is to make you feel confident in your power of attorney and other estate planning documents. That way, you don’t have to worry about what will happen in uncertain circumstances.

Navigating Greenwood Village Power of Attorney Laws

There are many benefits to creating power of attorney documents, from flexible agent abilities to ensuring your own personal protection during medical care. These powers reduce the risk of financial issues, improper decisions about your healthcare, and stress for your loved ones in Greenwood Village.

At The Limbaugh Law Firm, we can help you take advantage of these benefits and make sure everything is in order if emergencies happen. Our firm offers free consultations and provides upfront pricing, enabling you to make informed decisions about legal representation. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.