A Power of Attorney for Property allows another person or persons to make decisions regarding your property in the event you are unable.  Without this document, typically only your spouse or adult children will be able to make these decisions.  It is critical to have a Power of Attorney for Property if there are certain people other than your spouse that you would like to act for you, or serve as alternates to your spouse. 

A Power of Attorney for Health Care allows you to designate people who can make medical decisions regarding your care or treatment in the event you are unable.  Note that this document is very different from a living will, and in many ways is more flexible and powerful than a living will.  

Updating your Estate Plan

It's just as important to periodically review your Estate Plan to make sure it still reflects your wishes and includes all of your assets.  When should you consult an attorney about updating your Estate Plan?  Typically, when you have a "life event".  Life events include engagement, marriage, separation, divorce, birth of a child, death of a spouse or beneficiary, purchase of a home or other major asset, remarriage, or reloction to another state.  When life events occur, there are changes so dramatic that people typically want to change their Estate Plan to include new assets, new beneficiaries, or to update the existing provisions to account for the life event.  If you aren't sure whether your life event affects your Estate Plan, please feel free to Contact Us for more information.