DuPage County Powers of Attorney Lawyers

Wheaton, Illinois Law Firm Can Help With Powers of Attorney

In Illinois, you can appoint someone, either temporarily or permanently, who is authorized to handle your financial and property affairs or to make health care decisions on your behalf. This is done through powers of attorney, and these powers can go into effect after an agreement is created, at a specified time, or if you become incapacitated.

When you create a power of attorney, you are known as the "principal," and you will designate an "agent" to make important medical decisions or financial decisions on your behalf. Since you will be bound by the agent's actions while your power of attorney is in effect, it is extremely important to consult an estate planning attorney who can guide you through the crucial steps to preparing these legal agreements.

Different Powers of Attorney

There are two types of powers of attorney:

• Health Care Powers of Attorney authorize your agent to make important medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated and are unable to directly communicate your wishes. The health care power of attorney can be used for temporary purposes, such as in situations requiring major medical procedures, or you can have a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care" that will appoint an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become disabled or incapacitated. A health care power of attorney can also state who you wish to act as the guardian of your person in the event of your disability. It may also avoid the necessity of a guardianship altogether.
• Property Powers of Attorney authorize your agent to handle your property and financial transactions. These agreements can be temporary or permanent. For example, you may wish to temporarily authorize someone to complete a transaction for you. In other cases, you may wish to create a "durable" power of attorney which gives your agent access to your personal financial accounts and the authority to use your assets on your behalf in the ways that you designate if you become disabled or incapacitated. A property power of attorney can also state who you wish to act as the guardian of your estate in the event of your disability.

Powers of attorney are often addressed during the estate planning process. However, the need for a power of attorney may arise independently of other estate planning concerns.

The law firm of Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC in Wheaton, Illinois recognizes the concerns many of our clients have in relation to powers of attorney. Our attorneys can provide you with the help you need in drafting the appropriate legal documents, and we can aid in strategizing plans that may avoid disputes over your health and property.

Talk to Someone You Can Trust

Having Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC guiding you through the process of drafting contractual powers of attorney will be of the utmost value when you want to ensure that your needs will be met, no matter what happens. Contact our Wheaton attorneys at 630-665-2500. We can help you protect your rights and interests.