Powers Of Attorney Designations In North Carolina

An estate plan is more than just a will which divides up your assets upon death. The plan will include powers of attorney designations, which name agents to make important financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf during your life.

Granting someone power of attorney is not something you should take lightly. The lawyers of Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., serving Durham, Chatham, Orange, Wake, Granville, Alamance and Person counties, can help you address the important questions as part of creating your estate plan.

What Does A Financial Power Of Attorney Grant?

In North Carolina, a durable power of attorney allows you to give control over the day-to-day financial aspects of your life, such as paying your monthly bills, in the event you are unwilling or unable to act for yourself. They can be as general or specific as you direct.

This is a very useful and powerful document as it allows your agent or “attorney-in-fact” to make financial decisions for you. This power can be effective immediately or upon incapacity of the principal. If the principal is incapacitated, then this document will allow the agent to conduct the business dealings of the principal without court intervention. Avoiding the Court saves both time and money. If the document is immediately effective, then can also be used as a convenient way to pay bills if the principal is simply unreachable. It is imperative to choose a trusted person as your agent since the role carries so much power.

Power Of Attorney For Health Care Decisions

Our comprehensive health care power of attorney goes beyond the statutory guidelines and ensures that your agent is empowered to make the best medical decisions on your behalf. The document will name an agent to make medical decisions for you, in the event that you cannot make them for yourself. Our document also includes a HIPAA release so that every healthcare institution will release the appropriate information to that agent. Finally, our document will address end-of-life care issues that are an essential aspect of any estate plan.

Call Ellis Family Law Before Making Any Decisions

To learn more about power of attorney designations and how you can safeguard your rights, call 919-944-4811 (Durham) or 919-891-8838 (Pittsboro), or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation. An experienced lawyer is ready to help you craft a plan that meets your unique needs.