Saraland, AL Power Of Attorney Lawyers

Power of attorney is a powerful estate planning tool that has benefited the lives of countless Americans in the face of tragedy when they needed it most. Unfortunately, many people choose to take the chance that nothing tragic will ever happen to them, only to suffer the consequences later. Power of attorney is something that is much better to have and not need, than to not have and need. That’s why it’s critical to allow an experienced attorney to walk you through the process of establishing power of attorney so that it is done correctly and in compliance with Alabama laws. 

At The Ladd Firm, our dynamic team of attorneys has over 50 years of combined experience in estate planning matters and can present your legal options in a clear and understandable way. Call today to learn how you can speak to our knowledgeable Saraland power of attorney lawyers in a free phone consultation and get your questions answered.

Why Should I Have Power Of Attorney?

Power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to name a trusted individual (or multiple individuals) to make decisions in your place in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to advocate for yourself. The person who has power of attorney is called your agent, and can carry out various tasks in your name, depending on the scope of authority you grant them. 

There are different types of power of attorney, but our adept Saraland power of attorney lawyers can help you choose the one that most closely aligns to your objectives. They include:

• Durable POA – remains in effect even after a person becomes incapacitated or passes away
• Springing POA – comes into effect when certain conditions are met, such as your incapacitation
• General POA – grants your agent the authority to act in all manners (legal, financial, health, etc.) on your behalf that are allowed by law; can be durable or non-durable
• Financial POA – usually a type of limited or non-durable POA that allows an agent to act on your behalf in a financial sense, such as to pay bills, make bank withdrawals and deposits, or file taxes
• Medical POA – another type of limited POA that and allows your agent to make decisions pertaining to your healthcare, such as what medications you take, if you receive surgery, or whether artificial forms of life support are used

How Do I Choose My Agent?

There are many important things to consider before choosing the individual you give power of attorney to, because any decision they make on your behalf will impact your life in some way. The most obvious and critical question to ask yourself initially is, “Do I trust this person implicitly?” 

If you can answer yes, then you can consider other factors, such as whether they are financially responsible, whether their own legal affairs are in order, are they able to think critically under tense circumstances, and any other questions you need answered to give you peace of mind that you are making the right choice. However, you cannot force someone to agree to be your agent; they must agree to do so. 

How Can Saraland Power Of Attorney Lawyers Assist Me?

Some people think that they can handle establishing power of attorney on their own, without the help of a lawyer. They may have searched online and found “DIY” templates that seem solid, but many times will not hold up in a court of law because they are not compliant with Alabama’s specific laws. It is in your best interest to allow a seasoned attorney to walk you through the process so that you can rest easy knowing that your intentions and wishes will be able to be carried out by the person of your choosing. 

Trust The Ladd Firm To Guide You Every Step Of The Way

We are passionate about helping people make empowered decisions that help them remain in control of their life, even when their voice is not able to be heard. Call our skilled Saraland power of attorney lawyers today to get started!