Powers of attorney are fantastic tools to help ensure our assets and choices regarding medical care are preserved, should we ever become incapacitated. If you’re interested in creating one, please don’t hesitate to contact a knowledgeable New Jersey powers of attorney lawyer from the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi today.
Powers of Attorney Lawyer | Located in Oradell, New Jersey
If you’re looking to create a power of attorney or need help with any other estate planning matter, then look no further than a seasoned Bergen County, New Jersey estate planning lawyer from our legal team. We have extensive experience helping clients craft powers of attorney that work best for them, and we’re here to put that experience to work for you.
What to Know About Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is a document utilized in cases where one person (the agent) has to act on another’s (the principal) behalf to conduct the principal’s business or personal affairs.
It is very important to have a power of attorney in place in the event that a person becomes incapacitated either mentally or physically and is incapable of carrying out personal and business affairs.
In the event of alleged mental incapacity, there has to be a legal proceeding and hearing in order to adjudge the person as incompetent. The court in its sound discretion appoints someone to represent and make legal decisions for the incapacitated person.
Traditionally, powers of attorney only addressed financial issues. However, good practices should include among other matters the right to consent to medical treatment, the right to have access to and receive medical reports and records, and the right to obtain information that would otherwise be precluded by financial privacy laws. Consideration should also be given to name a successor person to have the power to act in the event the initially named agent cannot act.
A properly drawn power of attorney can avoid this type of proceeding.
Also to be considered are living wills and/or medical directives which relate to health and medical treatment (HIPAA) issues that might arise.
Contact a Powers of Attorney Lawyer Today
The bottom line is that if you need a legal team who can help you create a power of attorney to give you peace of mind concerning your assets or health, we are here to help. Contact the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi today to learn more about how we can guide you through each step of the estate planning process ahead.
