Planning Ahead #3 – Set up a Durable Power of Attorney
I almost forgot – the other thing my CPA said both my husband and I need is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. it must be “durable,” so it can continue if you can’t make decisions for yourself. And you also need a living will. And you may also want to get a financial power of attorney.
I had a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care for my mother before she passed away in 2006. I would get phone calls from Assisted Living every time they gave her an aspirin, but that’s ok.
This is another one of those “don’t try this at home” things. I know you can get the forms online or from a software program, but get an attorney to help. Each state is different, and you don’t want to do it wrong and find out too late that the documents are not valid.
Do you have these documents already?
5 Comments
I agree. Doing this right is of paramount importance.
Thanks for your comment. Too many people (me included) have received the message (as I did with my mother) and ignore it.
Your very right. If you don’t find your state’s specific power of attorney form then it may not be legally valid in your state!
Thanks for the “heads up,” Nicolas. It’s always amazing to me how different each state is in their regulations.
Jean
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