Power of Attorney
Instituting a power of attorney is something everyone should consider doing, preferably sooner rather than later. Many people forego this important step thinking they have plenty of time to plan for such things in the future, but the reality is that you never know when you may need it. atCause Law Office has a team of estate planning and legal documentation experts who can draft the ideal power of attorney for you.
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Each type will offer varying benefits, so if you’re unsure which is best, please reach out to us for guidance. We would love to talk with you about your needs and individual circumstances in order to make a recommendation that is best suited to you.
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We also offer flat-fee pricing, because we don’t think cost should be prohibitive for something this important.
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Choosing an Agent
Before you deep dive into the planning of your power of attorney, it is a good idea to decide who you’ll choose as your agent. This is the person to whom you will grant the authority to make decisions on your behalf. This is a great deal of responsibility, and they should be someone you trust with that power. We recommend picking someone who you are comfortable communicating with so that they have a full understanding of what your wishes are and what is expected of them.
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General Power of Attorney
Just as the name states, this is a general or broad category that allows the person you name as your agent to make a number of legal and financial transactions on your behalf. You must include a list of the acts you will allow your agent to perform. Examples include accessing bank accounts, signing legal documents, establishing trusts, and controlling your investments.
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A general power of attorney does not apply to all scenarios. If you become incapacitated for any reason, this document will become invalid.
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Do you have a particular task in mind and are unsure if you can include it in a power of attorney? Let us know what you’d like to include and one of our attorneys will advise you on the best way to move forward.
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Limited Power of Attorney
If you need an agent to act on your behalf for only a short period of time or for one certain task, a limited power of attorney may be your best bet. You are able to stipulate the very specific action that you need your agent to perform, and once the time period or need is over, the document is no longer valid and the agent’s authority is terminated.
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Durable Power of Attorney
This is the type of authority you’ll grant to your agent if you want it to stay in effect after incapacitation. You can put general or specific designations on a durable power of attorney, but it must include exact wording as outlined by Florida statute.
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Put our decades of experience creating powers of attorney to work for you. Call us today at 727-477-2255.