IS IT WORTH HAVING A POWER OF ATTORNEY?

by Van Den Heuvel Law Office

Have you ever considered getting a power of attorney (POA) in Michigan? A POA is an important legal document that gives someone else the authority to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated or are unable to make decisions for yourself. It’s a great way to ensure that your affairs are managed according to your wishes if the need arises. Let’s take a look at why having a POA is so beneficial and how to go about choosing the right lawyer for the job. 

Health Care Power of Attorney in Michigan

One type of power of attorney document is called Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPA). This type of POA allows you to appoint someone as your healthcare agent who will make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. With this document, you can be sure that any medical decisions made for you will be made according to your wishes. It’s important to note that HCPA does not give anyone access to your medical records, it is only the legal authority to make medical decisions for you. 

Michigan Durable Power of Attorney

Another type of POA is called Durable Power of Attorney (DPA). A DPA grants someone else the legal authority to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated or are otherwise unable to manage them yourself. This document allows appointed agents the ability to pay bills, file taxes, manage investments, and other financial activities. DPAs also grant these agents access to bank accounts and other assets so they can manage them as needed. 

Choosing The Right Power Of Attorney Lawyers In Michigan

When choosing an attorney for power of attorney services in Michigan, it’s important that you find one who has experience with this specific area of law and knows what documents need to be drafted and filed in order for all parties involved to stay within the bounds of the law. Be sure that any lawyer you consult with is licensed by the state bar association and has experience handling these kinds of cases. It’s best if they have had success doing so in previous cases. Additionally, it’s important that they have clear communication with their clients and understand all aspects related to creating powers-of-attorney documents before signing off on them.  

Having a power-of-attorney document is an important part of protecting yourself and managing your affairs should something happen where you are no longer able to manage them yourself. The two main types of POAs. These include a health care power-of-attorney (HCPA), which grants someone else permission to make medical decisions on your behalf, and durable power-of-attorney (DPA), which grants agents access to bank accounts, investments, taxes, etc. When looking for an experienced lawyer for drafting these documents, it’s crucial that one finds one who understands all aspects related to creating powers-of-attorney documents before signing off on them and has had success doing so previously. The Attorneys at the Van Den Heuvel Law Office have worked on these types of cases since 1992 and can help ensure all parties involved remain within the bounds set by law. If done correctly, having a power of attorney can offer peace of mind knowing should anything happen, there is someone making decisions based on what was decided beforehand. Contact the Attorneys at the Van Den Heuvel Law Office for a consultation for any POA needs. 

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