Does a General Power of Attorney Cover Medical Decisions?

A balance beam with a health sign on the left and money sign on the right.

If you’ve taken the time to consider estate planning, you’ve likely run across the concept of power of attorney. A power of attorney (POA) can be helpful in an incapacity strategy. It can also provide transparency in business or financial matters.

Jan 16, 2024

Can a Spouse Override a Trust?

A picture of a husband and wife with a concerned look on their face

Trusts are valuable tools for financial management and estate planning. Trusts come in numerous varieties and serve various purposes. Whether a spouse can override a trust is not a simple question because it depends on the circumstances. So, let's look at some of the variables and how each would influence the answer.

Jan 10, 2024

Can a Spouse Override a Will?

A person signing a will

When a spouse passes without a will, the spouse’s estate goes through probate. Probate is a state process determining where a deceased’s property will go. This also depends on state laws. There isn’t an easy way to determine where probate assets may go since there are a number of variables that determine the final destination of the property.

Jan 5, 2024

What is the Difference Between Durable and General Power of Attorney?

Understanding Power of Attorney options: Durable (evergreen, left) for ongoing support, General (deciduous, right) for specific tasks.

Power of Attorney is a term that indicates that the grantor has given another person authority to act on their behalf. The person to whom the authority is given does not need to be an attorney and typically isn’t. In fact, you don’t even need an attorney to establish the POA, although a notary will be helpful.

Jan 2, 2024

How Much Does a Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) Cost?

 Path to a modern hospital symbolizing planning for medical decisions with a power of attorney.

A Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) is one of the most commonly used types of POAs. The MPOA is sometimes called a healthcare proxy, an advanced directive, or a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions. With any of these names, an MPOA is a grant of authority from one person to another, allowing the designated person the authority to make medical decisions on the grantor's behalf when they cannot do so.

Jan 1, 2024

Does a Medical Power of Attorney Need to be Notarized?

A medical power of attorney (often referred to informally as a healthcare proxy and formally as a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions) is among the most commonly used POA types. As with any POA, a medical power of attorney is a grant of authority from one person to another. In this instance, the grantor confers to the agent the authority to make medical decisions on the grantor’s behalf when they cannot do so.

Nov 23, 2023

Learn Ways To Help Build Long-Term Real Estate Wealth

Get Tips For Managing Real Estate Wealth
Download eBook