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What Is A Power of Attorney?

Setting up powers of attorney can mitigate the uncertainty of what lies ahead. This legal provision allows you to designate a trusted person to take charge of your healthcare and financial decisions if you’re not able to make those decisions yourself due to physical or mental incapacity.


With a power of attorney, your designated agent will be authorized to handle your healthcare needs and manage your business and financial dealings.

When Should I Contact a Powers of Attorney Lawyer?

There’s no better time than now to arrange your powers of attorney. Connect with our powers of attorney lawyer in Dublin today to embark on this important step.

General and Healthcare Powers of Attorney

Types of Powers of Attorney

Within Dublin, numerous individuals opt for including both general and healthcare powers of attorney as part of their extensive estate preparations. These powers of attorney are classified as durable by Ohio legal standards, which indicates they keep their effect even after one becomes mentally incapacitated.

General Powers of Attorney

An attorney with a practice focused on powers of attorney in Dublin, Ohio, is necessary in formulating these legal forms, ensuring they meet the current Ohio law and are tailored to the client’s particular situations.


The general power of attorney, also known as a financial power of attorney, bestows legal powers on a chosen person, known as an attorney-in-fact or agent. The authority granted to the agent, as specified in the power of attorney, typically spans a wide range of financial and business matters.


The attorney-in-fact is tasked with managing bank accounts, collaborating with financial bodies, transferring property, and taking care of the principal’s financial interests.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A healthcare power of attorney, also identifiable as a medical POA, is a separate legal agreement granting the attorney-in-fact the right to make decisions regarding the principal’s health.


This authority includes making choices about medical interventions, care at the end of life, and the expenses for medical treatments. The agent’s decision-making power is contingent upon the principal being legally determined to lack the mental capacity for making sound health decisions.


A Dublin power of attorney can also incorporate clauses for a secondary agent, poised to step in if the primary agent is unable or unwilling to continue. The power of attorney can be crafted with precise instructions and limitations to curtail the agent’s broad powers, thereby securing the principal’s best interests.

Limited Power of Attorney

If you find yourself in a situation where you must bestow authority on another for a particular errand or transaction, the legal provisions in Dublin, Ohio, allow for the formulation of a limited power of attorney. This legal document appoints your chosen delegate, also known as an attorney-in-fact or POA agent, with the capacity to operate strictly within the boundaries of the instructions contained in the document.


Take, for example, the use of this document to authorize an individual to execute a lone real estate deal on your behalf. The agent’s powers are restricted to the confines expressly delineated within the POA document, meaning they are not permitted to engage in actions or decision-making not laid out in the power of attorney.


In addition to detailing the agent’s powers and obligations, the document may include specific directives and provisions to safeguard your interests. It’s pertinent to remember that a limited power of attorney remains valid just for the particular tasks and period defined, with the agent legally bound to your interests within the stipulated scope.

Reasons to Include Powers of Attorney in Your Estate Plan

Powers of attorney are vital components of your estate plan. With powers of attorney, you will:
  • Avoid guardianship
  • Designate a trusted person to manage your affairs
  • Ensure the fulfillment of your financial and medical needs
  • Have a plan in place for your loved ones

Is Your Current Power of Attorney Powerful Enough? Is it even Valid?

There are various types of powers of attorney. In Dublin, Ohio, the statutory or government-issued power of attorney document is quite limited in empowering your agent. If your needs for the agent’s actions are narrow or if there’s a lack of full trust in the person you’re appointing, this form could be appropriate.


On the flip side, if you desire your agent to have comprehensive abilities to act as you would, the statutory power of attorney won’t meet those needs. Typically, individuals need help determining which authorities to include in the document to accommodate their requirements and those of their kin in case of incapacity.


Also, if your power of attorney was formulated before the Ohio Uniform Power of Attorney Act of March 2012, it may not be valid. At the very least, it’s likely not up to date with your needs after more than ten years.


Hence, it’s recommended that a Dublin POA attorney review your power of attorney document to make sure it meets current legal criteria and your plans. If it doesn’t, your attorney can draft a fresh document.

Choosing an Agent for Your Power of Attorney

When deciding upon an agent for your power of attorney, prioritize essential traits. Find an individual who is less likely to misuse his or her authority, who is clear on his or her responsibilities, and who is capable of making logical, impactful decisions with others involved.


Typically, this person should be close to you and possess the ability to focus on details, withstand challenging circumstances, and carry out tasks diligently. It’s a sound strategy to have one or two secondary agents in place in case your preferred agent cannot perform the duties. Discuss your prospective agents with your Dublin POA attorney.

Powers of Attorney and Your Estate Plan

In Dublin, Ohio, the law restricts your agent from making any moves that would be detrimental to your finalized estate plan. The primary motivation for formulating an estate plan is to avert confusion, miscommunication, or any unpredictable scenarios that might cast doubt on your assets and your intended plans.


Ensure that everyone is on the same page by having your Dublin powers of attorney lawyer create your estate plan. Then, the attorney can review it with your agent if you wish. Contact us today and schedule a consultation to take the first steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A Power of Attorney (POA), as defined under Ohio law, is a legal document that confers legal authority to an appointed individual, known as the agent or attorney-in-fact. This authority empowers the agent to act on behalf of the person executing the POA, commonly referred to as the principal.

In the context of estate planning, a POA serves as a crucial tool that allows for the designation of a trusted individual to oversee vital matters. These matters can extend across a broad spectrum, encompassing financial and business matters, healthcare decisions, and even interactions with financial institutions.

The agent’s authority, as laid out in the POA document, can range from managing bank accounts and transferring real estate to making critical healthcare decisions, such as end-of-life care and medical treatment. The scope of this authority is typically defined by the principal’s needs and the current Ohio law.

An essential aspect of a POA under Ohio law is its potential durability. A durable POA, whether it be a durable financial POA or a healthcare POA, maintains its validity even if the principal becomes mentally incapacitated. This durability ensures that the agent can continue to make financial decisions or healthcare decisions on behalf of the principal without the need for court intervention.

However, creating a POA requires the principal to be a mentally competent adult capable of understanding the implications of their actions. It’s important to note that under Ohio law, the POA automatically ends if the principal passes away or if a court invalidates it.

In the hands of a knowledgeable Dublin power of attorney lawyer, a POA can be drafted with specific instructions and stipulations tailored to the principal’s best interests. The attorney can ensure the POA complies with the legal requirements set forth in the Ohio revised code and can provide vital legal information to the principal.

A General Power of Attorney grants broad powers to the agent, allowing them to handle various financial and legal matters on behalf of the principal. This includes managing bank accounts, real estate transactions, and legal proceedings. Unlike limited POAs, general POAs are comprehensive and do not have specific restrictions.

While a General Power of Attorney focuses on financial and legal matters, a Healthcare Power of Attorney is specific to healthcare decisions. It grants the agent the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of the principal if they are unable to do so. This ensures that the principal’s medical preferences are honored, even if they cannot communicate them.
A Limited Power of Attorney restricts the agent’s authority to specific tasks or transactions. This could include managing a particular property, handling a business matter, selling a car, or any other limited scope defined in the document. Limited POAs are useful when the principal only wants to delegate authority for a specific purpose.

Having a Power of Attorney in place provides peace of mind and ensures that someone trusted by the principal can manage their affairs if they become incapacitated. This can help avoid the need for court-appointed guardianship, streamline decision-making, and protect the individual’s interests according to their wishes.

Consulting with an attorney, especially one specifically focused on elder law and estate planning like Jarvis Law Office, ensures that the POA is drafted correctly and complies with Dublin, Ohio’s legal requirements. An attorney can help customize the document based on the individual’s unique circumstances, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings or legal challenges.

Yes, a well-crafted Power of Attorney can be a valuable tool in Medicaid planning and asset protection. It allows the agent to manage financial matters, making it possible to engage in strategic planning to qualify for Medicaid benefits while protecting assets. The knowledgeable Power of Attorney lawyers at Jarvis Law can assist in creating a comprehensive plan tailored to the client’s needs.

Please note that the information provided here is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. It is recommended to consult with an attorney from Jarvis Law Office to obtain personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.

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