This is the first post in a series of articles which will discuss creating a power of attorney in Hartford, Connecticut. We feel it is necessary to address this topic due to the fact that, while many people are familiar with the term “power of attorney,” they may not know how to create one. Doing so involves a specific process in order to ensure that your power of attorney is valid. Courts take such situations very seriously because under a Power of Attorney, individuals are granted a great deal of power, responsibility, and authority over the assets of another. The goal of our coming articles is to provide information which will assist in understanding the process. It is also our goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an estate planning lawyer. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact our office today to speak with an attorney.
We will be addressing a number of topics over our coming articles. Issues which we will address include:
- Ensuring that your power of attorney follows proper form
- Understanding the limits of a power of attorney
- Challenging a power of attorney
- Dealing with a power of attorney that is overly vague
We chose to address these topics for several reasons. First, it is crucial to make sure your power of attorney follows proper form because if it is not valid, it could lead to significant problems. For example, if you intended for someone to deal with your finances and it turns out they did not have proper authority to do so, their transactions could be challenged. Second, authority given to individuals with power of attorney can be broad or limited. It is important to understand that when power of attorney is limited, they are only allowed to exert the amount of authority given to them. Third, there may be situations where someone might want to challenge a power of attorney because the individual abused their powers. For instance, authority may be challenged if it is believed that the person may use money inappropriately or make unwanted health decisions. Finally, individuals who try to execute power of attorney forms on their own may not know exactly what authority they are giving. This can lead to disputes over what the power of attorney can and cannot do.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of retaining an experienced estate planning lawyer when seeking to give someone power of attorney. Consulting with an attorney can help you better understand your situation. An experienced lawyer can help you prepare the documents that accomplish your objectives. Our firm has over 50 years of experience in estate administration in Hartford, Connecticut. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We also service the areas of Wethersfield, New Britain, Rocky Hill, East and West Hartford, Bristol, Glastonbury, and Manchester, as well as the Middlesex County cities of Middletown and Cromwell.
