Why Powers of Attorney Are Important

Author

Chayet & Danzo, LLC

Posted on

Apr 22, 2021

Book/Edition

Colorado - Denver Metro

A power of attorney document, if drafted and used properly, can prevent the need for the court system to become involved in your medical and/or financial affairs. Executing power of attorney documents should be done well in advance of when one may be needed.
While there are resources online in and in stores where forms can be purchased, when one is simply plugging a few names and details into a form, you have little control over what that document does, and you might not even understand what it says. Creating your own power of attorney document that is not a form and using specific terms offers you far more protection.

The scope of the power of attorney can be broad or it can be very narrow. It can also be for specific for specific accounts and/or specific transactions and purposes. If there is a concern about someone abusing the power of attorney document, the more detailed and restrictive your terms are, the harder it will be for someone to misuse the authority granted to them in a power of attorney for financial gain.
Talking about your assets and what protection you need from a power of attorney with a lawyer can help you create documents well-suited for your needs. While there is more cost involved up front, the end product is something that protects you and your interests without leaving you vulnerable the way that broadly worded documents might.


Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Tamara E. Trujillo, Esq and Marco D. Chayet, Esq. Tamara is the Senior Managing Associate Attorney at Chayet & Danzo, LLC and the 2020-2021 Chair of the Elder Law Section for the Colorado Bar Association. Marco isthe founder of the law firm Chayet & Danzo, LLC, and the Public Administrator for the 18th Judicial District. They can be reached at 303-355-8500 and by email at Marco@ColoradoElderLaw.com and Tamara@ColoradoElderlaw.com.
This is a brief overview of the topic and should not be considered legal advice

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