You manage your own affairs for as long as you can and as well as you can. However, there are times when you need to plan for health challenges, or an accident, or if you find yourself in a position where you are unable to make financial, legal or health decisions either temporarily or permanently. A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to designate an agent with certain powers, including financial and business decisions, in the event you become incapacitated or mentally incompetent. Your agent’s power can be as broad or as restrictive as you wish. It is a powerful document that is designed to prevent a Court or an appointed guardian from determining your financial future, should the worst happen.

However, a Durable Power of Attorney is limited to mainly financial or business decisions. If your agent has only a Durable Power of Attorney, it does not control your medial wishes or directives. That is why Lynch Law recommends also drafting a Patient Advocate Designation. Please remember your Durable Power of Attorney does not have to be the same person as your Patient Advocate.