Establishing a Power of Attorney in Madison

Do you have concerns about your affairs being handled if you become incapacitated? Since life is uncertain and illness or accident can occur without warning, the attorneys at Balisle Family Law Legal Counsel, S.C., strongly encourage our clients to have powers of attorney in place.

There are several different types of powers of attorney:

• Health care power of attorney: A health care power of attorney is used to designate an agent to make health care decisions on one’s behalf should he or she became incapacitated or unable to make decisions on their own.
• Durable power of attorney for finance: A durable power of attorney for finance is used to designate an agent to manage one’s financial affairs. Although they are intended to be used when a person is incapacitated, they are, in fact, effective upon execution.
• General power of attorney: A power of attorney is a document that allows someone to delegate property management powers to another person.

All different types of powers of attorney are limited to the specific powers and the intentions as expressed in the power of attorney document. An agent cannot act unilaterally or contrary to the principal’s wishes.

These documents are critical for married couples as well as anyone in a committed, non-marital relationship who wants his or her partner to have the right to make important health care and financial decisions on their behalf. Our legal team at Balisle Family Law Legal Counsel, S.C., can help you express your wishes in your power of attorney documents.