When you give someone power of attorney, they will have a tremendous amount of power and responsibility. Essentially, they can make decisions in your stead. Here is what you should look for when choosing someone to give power of attorney.
Capacity and Acumen
The biggest question is whether the person has the capacity and expertise to handle the responsibility. If they will have financial power of attorney, they should have some acumen that will enable them to make the right decisions. While they do not need to be medical experts, they should be able to make decisions under pressure after talking with doctors. The person should at least have the ability to understand medical processes.
Articulate and Effective
You also need someone who can be an effective advocate. In medical situations, one with power of attorney may need to be assertive and push to support your wishes. Someone who is more passive may not be able to stand their ground when necessary. On the other hand, someone who is articulate can communicate, both on your behalf and to the rest of the family.
Proximity
Proximity is also a must for many powers of attorney. Someone who lived far away may not be physically present to speak with doctors and financial experts. Some decisions need to be made in a hurry, and you need someone who can be on the scene quickly. Oftentimes, it is not possible to make key choices over the phone, and they must be made in person.
Consult with a Greensboro Estate Planning Lawyer
The choice of power of attorney is one of the most critical parts of your estate plan, and we can help. Contact a Greensboro estate planning lawyer at the E.J. Boswell Law Office online or call us at 706-417-8299 to discuss your estate plan. This is something that can benefit from the advice of an experienced attorney.