If you are not available to act for yourself, either because of geography or disability, it can create problems for your family. A general financial Power of Attorney allows a person to act on your behalf either 1) immediately or 2) when you become disabled.

If you work overseas it can be very useful to have a General Power of Attorney that is in place immediately. If you become injured or disabled and can no longer communicate your wishes it is critical that you have a General Power of Attorney so that your agent can act on your behalf.

For example, if you have designated your spouse as your agent and you have a severe stroke, your spouse can act on your behalf and manage your affairs as you recover. Things will run much more smoothly for your family if you have a Power of Attorney in place. If you do not have a Power of Attorney your spouse may have to seek a conservatorship of you in order to manage your affairs. Seeking a conservatorship takes longer and costs much more that having a Power of Attorney.

There are some risks associated with having a Power of Attorney. It is very important to select someone that you trust as your agent. Be careful that you do not designate someone who has financial or addiction problems as your agent.

We would be help you draft a Power of Attorney. Call us.