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Power of Attorney

 Washington, D.C. Power of Attorney Lawyer

Assisting Clients With Power of Attorney Matters 

Establishing a power of attorney (POA) is a critical step in ensuring that your personal and financial affairs are managed according to your wishes, especially during times of incapacity or absence. Whether you are planning for the future or dealing with an immediate need, having a knowledgeable attorney can make the process seamless and effective. J. S. Burton, PLC, specializes in the power of attorney services in Washington, D.C., providing clients with expert legal guidance and support.

Call J. S. Burton, PLC today at (888) 885-9001 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our power of attorney lawyer in Washington, D.C.

What is Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is considered a legal document that allows you to appoint someone else, known as an agent or attorney-in-fact, to act on your behalf in legal or financial matters. The scope of authority granted to the agent can vary widely, ranging from making financial decisions to managing healthcare choices.

There are several types of power of attorney:

  • General Power of Attorney: This grants broad authority to the agent to handle all your affairs, including financial transactions, property management, and legal matters. It is often used when you want someone to manage your affairs while you are unavailable.
  • Durable Power of Attorney: Unlike a general power of attorney, a durable POA remains effective even if you become incapacitated. This type is particularly important for long-term planning, ensuring that your wishes are honored even when you cannot make decisions for yourself.
  • Healthcare Power of Attorney: This specific type of POA gives your agent the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This can include decisions about treatments, medications, and end-of-life care.
  • Limited Power of Attorney: This restricts the agent’s authority to specific tasks or a defined time period. For example, you might appoint someone to handle a real estate transaction while you are out of the country.

What are the Benefits of Power of Attorney?

Establishing a power of attorney offers numerous advantages:

  • Control Over Decisions: By designating a trusted agent, you maintain control over who will make decisions on your behalf. This ensures that your preferences and values are respected, especially in critical situations.
  • Financial Management: A power of attorney can facilitate efficient management of your financial affairs. Whether it’s paying bills, managing investments, or selling property, having an agent can ensure your financial obligations are met without disruption.
  • Healthcare Decisions: In the occasion of a medical emergency or incapacitation, a healthcare power of attorney allows your agent to make informed decisions regarding your treatment and care, ensuring that your medical preferences are honored.
  • Avoiding Court Intervention: Establishing a power of attorney can help avoid the need for court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship if you become unable to manage your affairs. This process can be time-consuming and costly, so having a POA in place provides peace of mind.
  • Flexibility: A power of attorney can be tailored to meet your specific needs. You can specify the scope of authority and the duration of the agent's powers, allowing for a customized approach to managing your affairs.
  • Ease of Transition: If you are managing a business or complex financial matters, having a designated agent can facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities, minimizing potential disruptions in operations.

How Our Power of Attorney Lawyer Can Help You

We can help you by:

  • Consultation and Assessment: We will take the time to understand your unique situation and discuss your goals and concerns related to power of attorney. This initial assessment is essential for determining the best type of POA for your needs.
  • Drafting and Reviewing Documents: We will meticulously draft your power of attorney documents, ensuring that all legal requirements are met. We also provide comprehensive reviews of existing documents to ensure they reflect your current wishes.
  • Agent Selection Guidance: Choosing the right agent is important. We can help you understand the qualities to look for and provide insights into the responsibilities your agent will have.
  • Regular Updates and Revisions: Life circumstances change, and so may your preferences. We can assist you with revising your power of attorney documents to ensure they remain aligned with your current situation.
  • Dispute Resolution: In the occasion of a dispute regarding the interpretation or execution of your power of attorney, we can represent your interests and help resolve conflicts effectively.

Contact Our Power of Attorney Lawyer in Washington, D.C. Today

If you are considering establishing a power of attorney or need assistance with an existing document, contact our Washington, D.C., power of attorney lawyer at J. S. Burton, PLC. We are committed to providing the legal support necessary to protect your interests and honor your wishes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing your future.

Contact J. S. Burton, PLC, today to get started with our Washington, D.C., power of attorney lawyer.

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    Mr. Burton, Esq. is an excellent estate planning attorney and I recommend him with a 5 star rating. He is patient and answers all questions. His organization of the plan that he provided was in a binder and very complete.
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    I just had a great experience with this firm in preparing my estate planning documents. I needed to update some wishes and also ensure everything is in line for the state of Virginia, as I moved here from Pennsylvania. I worked with Fallon Francesca Whi

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    FAQs

    • What is a HIPAA Authorization?
      Some medical providers have refused to release information, even to spouses and adult children authorized by the Healthcare Power of Attorney on the grounds that the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, prohibits such releases.  Therefore, as part of your incapacity planning, you should sign a HIPAA authorization form that allows the release of medical information to your agents, successor trustees, family or any other individuals you wish to designate.
    • What is a living will or advance medical directive?
      A living will or advance medical directive informs others of your preferred medical treatment should you become permanently unconscious, terminally ill, or otherwise unable to make or communicate decisions regarding treatment.  In conjunction with other estate planning tools, it can bring peace of mind and security while avoiding unnecessary expense and delay in the event of future incapacity.
    • What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
      The law allows you to appoint someone to decide about medical treatment options if you lose the ability to decide for yourself.  You can do this by using a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care" or Health Care Proxy where you designate the person or persons to make such decisions on your behalf. You can allow your health care agent to decide about all health care or only about certain treatments. You may also give your agent instructions that he or she has to follow. Your agent can then make sure that health care professionals follow your wishes and can decide how your wishes apply as your medical condition changes. Hospitals, doctors and other health care providers must follow your agent's decisions as if they were your own.
    • Who may act as an agent under a Power of Attorney?
      In general, an agent, or attorney in fact, may be anyone who is legally competent and over the age of majority.  Most individuals select a close family member such as a spouse, sibling, or adult child, but any person such as a friend or a professional with an outstanding reputation for honesty would be ideal.  You may appoint multiple agents to serve either simultaneously or separately.  Appointing more than one agent to serve simultaneously can be problematic because if any one of the agents is unavailable to sign, action may be delayed.  Confusion and disagreement between simultaneous agents can also lead to inaction.  Therefore, it is usually more prudent to appoint one individual as the primary agent and nominate additional individuals to serve as alternate agents if your first choice is unwilling or unable to serve.