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5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting a Power of Attorney

 Posted on February 21,2023 in Estate Planning

Denton County Estate Planning LawyerLife is anything but predictable - which is why estate planning is important for individuals of any age. A power of attorney (POA) document allows you to designate a trusted individual to make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated.

When selecting an individual to serve as your power of attorney, it is essential to choose someone you can trust with the responsibility and authority that comes with the role. To help ensure you make an informed decision, consider the following five questions.

Can This Person Handle the Responsibilities that Come With Being a Power of Attorney?

Serving as a power of attorney means making significant decisions and taking on important financial responsibilities. The person you select should be able to handle the potential challenges that come with the role. Ask yourself if this person has the skills to make sound decisions and handle the legal and financial aspects of managing your affairs.

Do You Trust This Individual?

The power of attorney chosen should be someone you trust implicitly. This individual will have access to your personal information and assets, so it is essential that they have a high level of integrity and share your values.

Can This Person Be Assertive? 

Unfortunately, family disputes regarding end-of-life care are not uncommon. Your power of attorney is tasked with fulfilling your wishes, not the wishes of your family or friends. Make sure you choose someone who is assertive and will not be swayed by outside opinions. 

Is This Person Available to Serve in this Role?

When selecting a power of attorney, it is important to consider the individual’s availability. Being a POA can be time-consuming and require flexibility when making decisions on behalf of another person. Be sure the person you select has the necessary availability to take on the role. An individual who frequently travels out of the country or who has substantial family responsibilities may not be the best option.

Do You Have More Than One Person in Mind?

It is wise to consider more than one option for a power of attorney. Choosing a backup can be valuable, as it allows you to assign another person to manage your affairs if the primary POA is unavailable. You may also decide to have one person designated as your financial power of attorney and another individual as your medical power of attorney. For example, if one of your family members is a doctor or nurse, you may wish for them to make medical decisions on your behalf since they will have the medical background needed to make an informed choice. However, this does not necessarily mean that you want this person to manage your finances as well.

Contact our Flower Mound Estate Planning Lawyer

Choosing a power of attorney is just one aspect of estate planning. For dependable guidance throughout the estate planning process, contact Denton County estate planning attorney Stephen Colbert. Call 972-724-3338 for a confidential consultation. 

 

Source:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/powers-of-attorney/durable-powers-of-attorney

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