Oakton Power of Attorney Lawyers

Part of making a sound estate plan is preparing for unexpected changes in health. When injury or illness leaves you unable to state your wishes, it helps to have a document in place to make sure your wishes are followed. A power of attorney (POA) document serves this exact purpose, allowing you to name a trusted person to make decisions related to healthcare, finances, or both. To learn more, contact an Oakton power of attorney lawyer.

At Robinson Law, PLLC, we have a trusted reputation throughout Northern Virginia as knowledgeable, personable attorneys. When you work with our firm, we will go over your options to set up a POA and make sure your preferences are communicated clearly.

What Can a Financial Power of Attorney Do?

A financial power of attorney lets you name someone to handle money and property on your behalf. The person who signs is the principal, and the person given authority is the agent. The scope is yours to set. Typical authority includes paying household bills, managing checking and savings accounts, filing tax returns, dealing with insurance carriers, collecting benefits, buying or selling real estate, and running a small business during an owner's absence.

Certain powers, such as making gifts, creating or amending a trust, or changing beneficiary designations, must be spelled out in the document itself before an agent may use them. An agent acts as a fiduciary and is expected to follow your known wishes, keep your funds separate, and keep records of every transaction.

A document can take effect the moment it is signed, which suits families who want an agent ready to step in without delay. Alternatively, you can set it up so that it takes effect after a physician determines that the principal can no longer manage his or her own affairs.

Understanding the Purpose of a Medical Power of Attorney or Advance Directive

Health care decisions call for a separate document. A Virginia advance medical directive allows you to appoint an agent to speak with doctors, review records, consent to or refuse treatment, and select facilities if you cannot speak for yourself. The same document can record your own instructions about life-prolonging treatment, artificial nutrition and hydration, pain relief, and organ donation.

Giving those answers in advance spares your family the weight of guessing during a hospital stay. Relatives who disagree at the bedside can delay care or end up in court seeking guardianship. A signed directive names one decision-maker and puts your wishes in writing for the treating physician to follow. Any copies of this document belong with your doctor, your agent, and your hospital chart. Virginia maintains a state registry where the document can be stored for access outside normal office hours.