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ESTATE PLANNING
From powers of attorney to advanced directives, our estate planning services are tailored to ensure your wishes are honored and your future, as well as that of your family, is secure.​
FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
GRANTING SOMEONE AUTHORITY TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF
A financial power of attorney is a legal document that allows you (the principal) to appoint another person (the agent) to handle your financial, contractual, and legal affairs or make medical decisions for you. This can be particularly important if you become incapacitated and are unable to manage your own affairs.
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A financial power of attorney is a useful tool if you or a loved one is suffering from a worsening medical condition that impacts mental capacity, like Alzheimer's or dementia, is physically disabled and cannot sign important documents, or has a diminished mental capacity due to aging. There are, of course, other reasons why you may need or want power of attorney.
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While a financial power of attorney can perform many important functions when you need it most, people are often confused as to when and which type of Power of Attorney is needed. Our team of estate planning attorneys will listen to your concerns and needs, review your estate, and advise you on the types of powers of attorney that are best for you and your unique situation. Contact us to schedule your complimentary estate planning consultation to discuss how a power of attorney can complement your estate plan.
There are two main types of financial power of attorney:
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GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY​​
This broad authorization grants your agent the power to handle a wide range of financial matters, such as managing your bank accounts, selling property, or paying bills, contractual matters, and even legal matters on your behalf. A general power of attorney terminates at your death. ​
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LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY​​
This limits your agent's authority to a specific task or situation. For instance, you could create a limited power of attorney for someone to sign on your behalf at a real estate closing, but they possess no authority beyond the specific task identified. A limited power of attorney terminates upon completion of the specified task.
KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER:
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​DURABLE VS. SPRINGING​
A durable power of attorney is valid and enforceable as soon as it is signed and remains so even if you become incapacitated. A springing power of attorney is valid when you sign it but enforceable only with your written permission for a specific task or if you become incapacitated.​
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POWER TO ACT​
Clearly define the powers you grant your agent in the document.
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CHOOSING AN AGENT​
Select someone you trust implicitly to handle your affairs responsibly.
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LEGAL GUIDANCE​
Consider contacting our team to ensure your power of attorney meets your needs and complies with North Carolina law.
BENEFITS OF POWER OF ATTORNEY:​
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PEACE OF MIND​
Knowing someone you trust can handle your affairs if needed provides peace of mind.
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AVOIDS GUARDIANSHIP​​
A power of attorney can avoid the need for a court-appointed guardian if you become incapacitated.​
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FLEXIBILITY​
You can tailor the power of attorney to your specific needs and circumstances.​
REMEMBER
A financial power of attorney is a powerful legal tool. Carefully consider who you appoint as your agent and ensure the document accurately reflects your wishes. Contact our team today to schedule your complimentary estate planning consultation for guidance on creating a comprehensive power of attorney that meets your specific needs.
HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
EMPOWERING SOMEONE TO MAKE YOUR MEDICAL DECISIONS
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to designate someone you trust (your agent) to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become temporarily or permanently unable to do so yourself due to illness or injury.
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that outlines your preference for treatment, reduces the burden on your loved ones, and promotes health communication about your values and medical preferences. Your agent will be able to access your medical records, communicate with your healthcare providers, consent to your admission and discharge from medical facilities, and consent to or refuse medical treatments, procedures, and medications.
BENEFITS
POWER OF ATTORNEY
PEACE OF MIND​
Knowing your healthcare decisions will be made according to your wishes provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.​
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REDUCES STRESS
It relieves your family from the burden of making difficult medical decisions during an emotional time.​
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PROMOTES AUTONOMY​
It empowers you to maintain control over your medical care even when you can't speak for yourself.
KEY FACTORS
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER
​CHOOSING YOUR AGENT​
Select someone you trust completely to make healthcare decisions based on your wishes and best interests.​
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SPECIFICITY​
You can provide specific instructions about your preferences for treatment or leave broader decision-making authority to your agent.
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LIVING WILL VS. HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
While a healthcare power of attorney focuses on appointing a decision-maker, a living will is a document outlining your wishes for end-of-life care.
ADVANCED DIRECTIVES
GUIDING YOUR HEALTHCARE FUTURE
An advance directive, often referred to as a living will, is a comprehensive legal document that allows you to express your wishes regarding life-prolonging measures in certain situations. An advanced directive is utilized when death is imminent, you are likely to die within a few hours or a few days, and a machine would be prolonging the inevitable.
This “pull the plug” document empowers you to make decisions regarding end-of-life care ahead of time and reduce the burden on your loved ones. You can also indicate your wishes for organ or tissue donation, donation for anatomical study, and burial and funeral arrangements.
REMEMBER
An advance directive ensures that your voice is heard in future decisions regarding end-of-life care. By speaking with our team about your wishes, we can provide a powerful legal document to provide peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary estate planning consultation and discuss your end-of-life choices with a member of our compassionate team.