A power of attorney is an individual you appoint to take care of certain legal and financial matters if you die or become incapacitated. This is an important role that you should think about carefully before giving it to someone. Below, discover the process of selecting the right person for this position. 

How Do I Choose a Power of Attorney?

1. Identify the Most Capable People in Your Life

Make a list of the most competent people in your life. The individual you ultimately choose will need to have a basic understanding of legal and financial subjects, and they should live nearby so they can get to courts, hospitals, nursing homes, or attorney's offices without issue. The person should be someone you trust with the most important aspects of your life, and they should be assertive, articulate, and willing to help.

2. Have a Conversation

Don't enlist a power of attorney without first sitting down and talking with the person you want to appoint. They should consent to the roles and responsibilities being asked of them. Also, this is an opportunity for you to spell out exactly what you do and do not want as far as life-saving medical treatments, care homes, financial management, and funeral or memorial services. Make sure the person you've chosen fully understands your preferences. 

3. Complete the Paperwork

A POA isn't official until the appropriate paperwork has been completed and signed. In Connecticut, most situations require the Durable Statutory Power of Attorney, Short Form. You can use this for either a single POA or for a joint arrangement in which two people will share the duties. 

All parties need to sign the document, as well as two witnesses, and it needs to be notarized by a notary public. An attorney can help you fill out these forms, get them notarized, and keep them on file for when they are needed.

When you need assistance setting up a power of attorney, contact the Law Office of Debra A. Brown. For nearly 30 years, Attorney Brown has been representing the Torrington, CT, and Litchfield County areas. She provides legal assistance with POAs, living wills, and other elder law- and estate-related issues. Call (860) 496-7717 or visit her office's website to schedule a consultation.