What Is a Power of Attorney and Why Do You Need One

A power of attorney (POA) in South Carolina is a legal document you can use to assign someone to act on your behalf under specific circumstances. POAs can be financial, medical, and legal if you are unable to make important decisions for yourself, such as if you are incapacitated, the person whom you have legally authorized to do so will have the authority to make them for you. In other words, appointing a POA can make a fundamental difference in primary decision-making related to end-of-life concerns.

Our Summerville POA attorneys at Gil Gatch Law can help you.

POA Basics in Summerville

You can name someone you trust to make critical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. In this arrangement, you are known as the principal, and the person you appoint is your agent. South Carolina recognizes several types of POAs, each covering different areas of decision-making:

• Financial POA: Authorizes your agent to manage financial matters such as banking, bill payment, property transactions, and investment decisions.
• Health Care POA: A separate legal document governed by SC Code § 62-5-504 that authorizes your agent to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
• Legal POA: Authorizes your agent to handle legal matters, such as signing contracts or managing litigation on your behalf.

Use one or more POAs depending on your needs. A durable POA stays effective if you become incapacitated. It’s typically best for estate planning, while a non-durable POA ends if you are incapacitated.

If you don’t assign a POA and need one, the probate court will pick someone to decide for you. That person may not act according to your wishes.

Instances When Having a POA Is Most Important

One of the most important reasons for creating a POA is to bolster peace of mind amid life’s unpredictability. While POAs can be triggered by many events, the following are some of the most common:

• A life-threatening accident or any other kind of medical emergency: Your agent can make speedy healthcare decisions that align with the preferences you’ve shared
• Dementia or cognitive decline: Your agent has the authority to make decisions that correspond with the wishes you defined when you had the capacity to do so
• Travel or military deployment: Your agent can make financial and legal decisions for you when you’re not physically present to make them for yourself

Talk with a POA lawyer about what works best for you.

Turn to Our Experienced Summerville POA Lawyers for the Help You’re Looking For

Having a POA in place helps ensure that your best interests are supported and that your wishes are upheld if you can’t make critical decisions for yourself. This makes a power of attorney a key estate planning tool that should not be ignored or put off. Our compassionate Summerville POA attorneys at Gil Gatch Law will spare no effort in our quest to help you implement effective estate planning tools that include the power of attorney.

Learn more about everything we can do to help by reaching out online or by calling our firm at 843-800-2020 today.