Durable Power of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney for Finances is an important aspect of estate planning. Sometimes an unexpected life event happens leaving a person temporarily or permanently incapacitated. This important document will make sure your personal affairs will continue to be property handled without the necessity and cost of court intervention.

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Almost everyone with property or an income can benefit from a Durable Power of Attorney for finances. It’s particularly important, however, to have a Durable Power of Attorney if you fear that health problems may make it impossible for you to handle your financial matters. The main reason to create a Durable Power of Attorney for finances is to avoid court proceedings if you become incapacitated. If you don’t have a Durable Power of Attorney, your relatives or other loved ones will have to file formal court proceedings and ask a judge to name someone to manage your financial affairs. These proceedings are commonly known as conservatorship proceedings. Depending upon where you live, the person appointed to manage your finances is called a conservator, guardian of the estate, committee or curator.

durable power of attorney documentThe Nuts and Bolts of a Durable Power of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney for finances is an inexpensive, reliable legal document. In it, you name someone who will make your financial decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself. If you ever do become incapacitated, the Durable Power of Attorney will likely appear as a minor miracle to those who are close to you. You can give your attorney-in-fact authority to do some or all of the following:

  • Use your assets to pay for your everyday expenses and for those of your family.
  • Handle transactions with banks and other financial institutions.
  • Buy, sell, maintain, pay taxes on and mortgage real estate and other property.
  • File and pay your taxes.
  • Manage your retirement accounts.
  • Collect benefits from Social Security, Medicare or other government programs or civil or military service.
  • Invest your money in stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
  • Buy and sell insurance policies and annuities for you.
  • Operate your small business.
  • Claim or disclaim property you get from others.
  • Make gifts of your assets to organizations and individuals of your choosing.
  • Transfer property to an existing living trust.
  • Hire someone to represent you in court.

You can tailor your Durable Power of Attorney for finances to fit your needs by choosing which powers you grant and by placing certain conditions and restrictions upon the attorney-in-fact. For example, you can give your attorney-in-fact authority over your real estate, with the express restriction that your house may not be sold.

restrictionsThings a Durable Power of Attorney Cannot Do

A Durable Power of Attorney does have limitations and restrictions. Here are some things a Durable Power of Attorney cannot authorize your agent:

  1. To make healthcare decisions for you.
  2. To marry on your behalf.
  3. To adopt anyone on your behalf.
  4. To vote for you in public elections.
  5. To represent you in legal proceedings.
  6. To make a will on your behalf.
  7. To give powers already legally delegated to someone else by another means.
  8. To continue to act on your behalf after your death.

Your Durable Power of Attorney is an important document in your esate plan. As such, it is essential that the document is properly prepared and valid.  If you search the internet you can probably buy or download a generic power of attorney template. However, if you do, be aware it may not comply with your state’s requirements and it could be out-of-date. Investopedia warns, “this document may be too important to leave to the chance that you got the correct form and handled it properly.” A legal document assistant can prepare your durable power of attorney for a fraction of the cost an attorney will charge. Using a legal document assistant for this important task will ensure your durable power of attorney will serve its intended purpose.

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Description of Will Documents (Notary fees additional) Price
Will (individual) $200
Codicil to Will $125
Will package (individual) includes Will, Healthcare Directive and Financial Power of Attorney $250
Will package (couple) includes 2 Wills, 2 Healthcare Directives and 2 Financial Powers of Attorney $399
Other Services Call for Quote
Description of Trust Documents (Notary fees additional) Price
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust (Individual) Trust or Trust Restatement only (you must have an existing revocable trust) $300
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust (Couple) Trust or Trust Restatement only (you must have an existing trust) $400
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust Package (Individual) Includes Trust, Pour-over Will, Certificate of Trust, Healthcare Directive, Financial Power of Attorney and estate folder $499
Revocable Trust or Restatement of Revocable Trust Package (Couple) Includes joint trust, 2 Pour-over Wills, Certificate of Trust, 2 Healthcare Directives, 2 Financial Powers of Attorney and estate folder $650
Special Needs Trust Designed for beneficiaries with physical or mental disabilities. $700
Irrevocable Medi-Cal and/or VA Planning Trust $700
Trust Transfer Deed and Preliminary Change of Ownership (California property) $200 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)
Trust Transfer Deed (Out-of-State property) $275 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)
Trust Transfer Deed (Timeshare) $275 ($50 discount w/trust pkg)
Description of Individual Documents (Notary fees additional) Price
Will $200
Healthcare Directive $125
Financial Power of Attorney $125
Codicil to Will $125
Trust Amendment $200 and up
Trust Transfer Deed and Preliminary Change of Ownership (California property) $200
Trust Transfer Deed (Out-of-State property) $275
Trust Transfer Deed (Timeshare) $275
Other Services Call for Quote