What is a General Power of Attorney?
A General Power of Attorney (also called a Financial Power of Attorney) is a legal document that gives an individual (your “Attorney-in-Fact”) the authority to act on your behalf in various legal and financial scenarios. The timing, circumstances, and specific powers associated with this authority are all choices covered in your Power of Attorney document. Depending on your preference, this authority can be quite broad or extremely limited.
What is a General “Durable” Power of Attorney?
This term indicates the circumstances under which your General Power of Attorney is active.
“Durable” describes a grant of authority (to your Attorney-in-Fact) that is valid regardless of your mental state. Also called an Immediate Power of Attorney.
Mentally healthy = legally effective.
Mentally incapacitated = still legally effective.
What is a General “Springing” Power of Attorney?
Much like “Durable,” “Springing” is a legal term to describe the circumstances under which your Attorney-in-Fact’s authority is active/effective.
“Springing” describes authority that only becomes valid upon your mental incapacity.
Mentally healthy = not legally effective.
Mentally incapacitated = legally effective.
Get Help From a Power of Attorney Lawyer in St. Louis
Having a Durable Power of Attorney included in your Estate Plans is important if you hope to protect yourself should you become incapacitated, unstable, or otherwise unable to make financial or medical decisions for yourself.
Take steps to ensure your Estate Plans so there is no question as to the responsibilities of your Durable Power of Attorney. Schedule your initial consultation with a reputable Estate Planning and Power of Attorney lawyer at The Law Office of David S. Schleiffarth, LLC as soon as today. You can reach us through our quick contact form, by phone, or by text to get started.
Our Process
Approachable Estate Planning. From start to finish, we are here to shoulder the load and make Estate Planning easy!
STEP 1
Make an appointment
Call, text, or email and we will find a time that works with your schedule.
STEP 2
Initial appointment
We discuss your life, family, financial situation, & Estate Planning goals. You do not need to bring anything.
STEP 3
Drafting
You do nothing. Relax and we will prepare drafts of your documents in approximately 2 weeks.
STEP 4
Review & approval
You look over your documents. We answer questions and make any changes as needed.
STEP 5
Signing appointment
Once your documents have met your satisfaction, you will sign the final drafts at our office. (In front of 2 witnesses and a notary–provided by us, of course).
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