Power of Attorney

Protect Yourself and Your Interests — Before You Need To

A Power of Attorney is a powerful legal tool that ensures your financial, legal, and personal matters are handled according to your wishes if you are unable to act for yourself.

At Fletcher Barrow, we help individuals and families create Powers of Attorney tailored to their needs, offering peace of mind and clear protection.

Types of Powers of Attorney

General Power of Attorney

  • Scope: Broad authority over your legal and financial matters.
  • When it Applies: Typically used when you want someone to manage all or most of your affairs for a temporary period or in case of incapacity.
  • When it Ends: Automatically ends if you become mentally incapacitated unless it is specifically made “enduring” (or “continuing” depending on jurisdiction) — meaning it continues during incapacity.

General POAs are often used for:

  • Managing finances while traveling or living abroad,
  • Allowing a spouse or trusted person to handle day-to-day matters,

Specific (Limited) Power of Attorney

  • Scope: Restricted to specific acts, events, or periods.
  • When it Applies: Used for very defined purposes and ends once the specific task or time period is completed.

Examples include:

  • Authorizing someone to sell a specific property while you are out of the country,
  • Handling a particular business transaction,
  • Managing a bank account or investment portfolio during a temporary illness.

Powers of Attorney for Personal Care (Healthcare)

Separate from financial matters, a Power of Attorney for Personal Care allows someone to make medical and personal decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your wishes.

Decisions covered include:

Why You Need a Power of Attorney

Plan for the Unexpected

Illnesses, accidents, or other unforeseen events can happen at any time.

Maintain Control

Choose someone you trust — rather than leaving it to the courts to decide.

Protect Your Family

Eliminate uncertainty, stress, and potential conflicts among your loved ones.

Simplify Financial and Legal Matters

Ensure your bills are paid, investments managed, and property protected even if you can't act yourself.

Save Time and Costs

Without a valid POA, your family may need to apply to the court for guardianship — a time-consuming and expensive process.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a Power of Attorney take effect?

You can choose when it takes effect — immediately upon signing or only upon incapacity. This is an important choice to discuss with your lawyer.

Can I revoke a Power of Attorney?

Yes, as long as you are mentally competent, you can revoke or change your POA at any time by preparing a revocation document.

Does a Power of Attorney continue after death?

No. A Power of Attorney ceases upon the death of the grantor. After death, the will governs the handling of your estate.

Can I have more than one Attorney?

Yes. You can appoint multiple attorneys to act jointly or separately, depending on your preferences and circumstances.

What if I don’t have a Power of Attorney?

Without one, your family may have to apply to court to be appointed as your legal guardian or trustee — a costly, stressful, and often delayed process.

Take Control of Your Future — Today

Buying a property is a significant milestone, and having the right legal support makes all the difference. At Fletcher Barrow, we are dedicated to making your property purchase as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Related Practice Areas