One of the most important tasks you can undertake is planning for the unexpected so your family will not be caught unprepared. At Neal Ashmore, we provide comprehensive estate planning legal guidance for all stages of your life, regardless of your level of wealth. An important benefit of estate planning is the ability to ensure your financial matters are properly taken care of and your personal wishes for medical treatment and end-of-life care are respected.
One of these options for planning for the unexpected is a power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal instrument used to protect a person’s property and interests — it grants decision-making authority to a chosen, trusted agent to make important decisions on his or her behalf.
There are several kinds of powers of attorney available under Texas law, including:
- Limited power of attorney, which only grants decision-making power in specific aspects of your life
- Financial power of attorney, which authorizes your agent to handle your finances and make decisions that impact your finances
- Medical/health care power of attorney, which grants your agent power to make decisions about your medical treatment and health care
- General power of attorney, which authorizes an agent to make all decisions on your behalf
To make the power of attorney “durable,” or effective after you become incapacitated or die, Texas law requires that you specifically indicate that it remain so in the power of attorney documentation. Our skilled attorneys will create enduring powers of attorney as a part of your comprehensive estate plan, to protect your goals for now and in the future.
