Why is a Power of Attorney Important?

There are two (2) types of powers of attorney in Illinois. The first power of attorney is a power of attorney for property ("POA"). A POA for Property is a type of power of attorney where you appoint an Attorney-in-Fact to make financial decisions when you are unable to make your own financial decisions. Examples of circumstances where you might need a POA property. A car crash victim or a senior that is experiencing memory lapses or old age.

The second (2) type of power of attorney is power of attorney for healthcare. A power of attorney for healthcare is otherwise known as "POA Healthcare". A POA Healthcare is a legal document where you designate an agent to make health care choices for you in case of an incapacity. Without a POA Healthcare, your family, friends, or partner may not make healthcare choices for you in case of an emergency. More importantly, a POA for Healthcare describes whether you want feeding tubes or a DNR in your medical chart. A POA for Healthcare is a good idea because it also assists your agent to understand how you want your own healthcare choices made.

Sean Robertson is an tax attorney that concentrates in estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, asset protection law, and corporate law. Sean Robertson can be reached at (312) 498-6080 or (630) 364-2318 or RobertsonLawGroup@gmail.com.