Powers of Attorney
Delegating Authority Legally and Responsibly
A power of attorney is a legal document used to delegate legal authority to another person. The person who signs a power of attorney, the Principal, gives legal authority to another person, an Agent or Attorney-in-Fact, to make financial and other legal decisions for the Principal.
A Principal can give an Agent broad legal authority or very limited authority. Often, the power of attorney document is used in the event of the Principal is incapacitated by illness or injury. Another frequent use of the power of attorney occurs when the principal cannot be present to sign necessary legal documents.
There are two main forms of power of attorney used:
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Non-durable power of attorney
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Durable power of attorney
A "Non-durable" power of attorney is often used for a specific transaction, such as the closing on the sale of residence, or the handling of the Principal's financial affairs while the Principal is traveling outside of the country.
A "durable" power of attorney enables the Agent to act for the Principal even after the Principal is not mentally competent or physically able to make decisions. The "Durable" power of attorney may be used immediately, and is effective until it is revoked by the Principal, or until the Principal's death.
A power of attorney must be created and executed properly in order to be effective and binding. Attorney Greg Robinson has more than 19 years of estate planning, business law and asset protection experience. He can advise you on the type of power of attorney is best for your specific situation as well as help you create a sound strategy for managing your health care directives, wills, trusts, assets and wealth.
Contact estate planning attorney Greg Robinson at 636-532-9500 in
St. Louis or 636-946-4979 in St. Charles County to arrange for a FREE initial consultation.
Estate planning attorney Greg Robinson provides estate planning, asset protection and business law services for communities in the greater St Louis and St Charles Counties, including Chesterfield, Town & Country, Ballwin, Ellisville, Wildwood, Creve Coeur, St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon and Wentzville.
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