When a person has become mentally or physically disabled in the eyes of the court, they still need their finances managed. They still need important medical decisions made on their behalf. If a person has suffered severe mental decline, who decides if they are to receive extraordinary medical treatment? Who accesses their financial assets to pay for assisted living and other expenses? On an even more practical level, what if a person is physically disabled and just needs a person to cash their checks and go to the bank?

It takes legal authority to do any of these things on behalf of another person. Power of attorney is what grants that authority.

Power of attorney can be granted for both medical and financial decisions. Clients can choose to have one person fulfill both roles or they can divide the responsibilities between two people they trust. The individuals designated to receive this legal power should be ones in whom the client has tremendous confidence–their personal integrity, their competence in the area they are entrusted with and that their values are aligned with those of the client.

No one can anticipate every decision that a power of attorney may have to deal with. Some decisions–particularly end-of-life issues in a hospital–might be reasonably anticipated. In these circumstances, a Pembroke Pines estate planning attorney can draft an advance medical directive that explicitly informs medical staff of their wishes in a particular situation. The power of attorney will then only have to make decisions in circumstances that are not covered by the directive.

Too often, family members are left in the dark when a loved one dies or becomes incapacitated. The resulting uncertainty can result in animosity among those the deceased cares about the most. Estate planning is a way to reduce uncertainty and the potential for conflict, while still protecting the client’s last wishes.

Mary Jo Rivero, P.A. has been doing this work for over 30+ years. She understands the questions to ask, she understands how to listen, and she understands how to develop the estate plan documents that can meet a client’s needs. 

We serve people who speak both English and Spanish and clients come from as far as Miami, Hollywood, Weston, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, and Plantation to her Pembroke Pines office. Call today at (954) 945-7727 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.