Powers of Attorney Lawyer in Dunkirk, Maryland

Have you ever thought what would happen if you lost your capacity and were unable to make important decisions on your own? In this situation, would you want the court to decide who should manage your affairs or do you want someone you trust to act on your behalf? If you prefer the latter, you might want to consider setting up a power of attorney.  

The mere thought of becoming incapacitated and being unable to make decisions for yourself can be upsetting. For this reason, it is important to have a plan for everything as you never know what turn your life is going to take. Our power of attorney lawyer at the Law Offices of Julie A. Schejbal, CHTD, helps people draft POAs tailored to their specific circumstances and needs. Having this document in place can give you peace of mind knowing that someone you trust would be in charge of your affairs if something were to happen to you.  

Our law firm is based in Dunkirk, Maryland, but serves clients in the surrounding areas, including Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, and Prince George’s County.  

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney–commonly referred to as POA in estate planning–is a document that allows the maker (called the “principal”) to give another person (called the “agent”) legal authority to act on their behalf in the event of the principal’s incapacity. Depending on the wording of the document, a POA may take effect immediately upon the principal’s signing or some time in the future (e.g., after the principal becomes incapacitated). A well-crafted power of attorney can remove uncertainty and provide you the comfort of knowing that your wishes will be fulfilled even if you are not in a position to handle your affairs on your own.

Types of Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney is a flexible document that allows the principal to define the agent’s scope of powers and limits in their authority. In this regard, there are several types of POAs, including: 

• General POA. This document gives broad powers to the agent to act on behalf of the principal and typically gives them the authority to make decisions regarding the principal’s finances, property, and healthcare.  

• Durable POA. A power of attorney is made “durable” when the principal wants to ensure that the document remains in effect in the event of an illness or disability that renders them incapable of managing their own affairs.  

• Limited POA. As the name implies, a limited power of attorney gives the agent the authority to perform specific functions on behalf of the principal (e.g., paying taxes).  

Everyone’s situation is unique, which is why what works for one person may not work for another. Our power of attorney lawyer at the Law Offices of Julie A. Schejbal, CHTD, can listen to your concerns and help you determine which type of POA would be best suited for your particular situation.  

What Makes POAs So Important?

A power of attorney can become a critical part of your estate plan even if you are not planning to become physically or mentally incapable of managing your affairs any time soon. However, life is unpredictable, which makes a POA a valuable tool. Some of the benefits of having a power of attorney include: 

1. Make your wishes known. Without a POA, it may be unclear who should make decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacity. The document makes your wishes known to the court and your loved ones.  

2. Protect your interests. With a POA in place, you can be certain that someone you trust will make decisions on your behalf to protect your interests. 

3. Avoid guardianship. If you become incapacitated and there is no power of attorney in place, your family may need to undergo a time-consuming and complex court process to appoint a guardian.  

4. Handling of affairs without interruption. When you have a power of attorney, you can ensure that your affairs will be handled with no delay or interruption in case of an emergency.  

At the Law Offices of Julie A. Schejbal, CHTD, we strive to offer every client we represent the compassionate support and guidance they need. Our power of attorney lawyer in Dunkirk, Maryland, can help you create a POA to achieve your goals and prepare for whatever is to come.  

Considerations When Choosing an Agent

Choosing an agent for a power of attorney can be tough, especially if there are multiple people you could trust your life with or, on the contrary, there is no suitable candidate among your family members and friends. When choosing who you should pick as your POA agent, keep these traits in mind:  

• Trustworthiness. You need someone you trust without hesitation.  

• Assertiveness. You need someone who is assertive and can clearly communicate your wishes to others.  

• Proximity. You need someone who is nearby and would be able to make decisions quickly in the event of an emergency.  

• Willingness to serve. Last but not least, you need someone who is willing to serve and is comfortable with being designated as your agent.  

Keep in mind that choosing who would serve as your agent is not about choosing the person closest to you, such as your spouse or child. Rather, the best choice would be someone who you think would be capable of managing your financial, healthcare, and legal matters responsibly and in your best interests.