Don’t Leave It to Chance. Secure Your Future with Power of Attorney and a Family Plan

Power Of Attorney

How well are we preparing our families for the responsibilities that come with aging, illness, or death? Too often, we avoid the hard conversations—those talks about what should happen when we are no longer able to care for ourselves or make decisions. But avoidance doesn’t make the problem go away. In fact, it often creates confusion, conflict, and legal barriers that could have been prevented with proper planning.

We must ask ourselves: Do our children or trusted family members know how we want to be cared for in our older years? Do they know how to access vital medical records, manage property, or make critical financial and healthcare decisions on our behalf if we become incapacitated? Without legal documentation, their hands may be tied.

One of the most vital steps in planning for the future is setting up a Power of Attorney (POA)—a legal document that authorizes someone you trust to handle your affairs if you are no longer able to. While verbal instructions may seem clear to us in the moment, they do not hold up in a court of law. The state does not recognize hearsay. That means if your wishes are not in writing and properly notarized, they can be disputed or outright ignored, even by well-meaning family members.

Two of the most important forms of Power of Attorney are the Durable Power of Attorney and the Medical or Healthcare Power of Attorney. These documents can make all the difference when families face moments of crisis.

The Durable Power of Attorney allows someone to act on your behalf for financial, legal, and property-related matters, even if you become mentally or physically incapacitated. It is designed for long-term planning, especially for those with chronic illnesses or age-related concerns. However, this document must specifically include language stating that it is "durable" to remain valid under incapacitation.

The Medical Power of Attorney, also called a Healthcare POA, authorizes someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. This may involve decisions about surgery, medication, life support, long-term care, or end-of-life directives. It is often paired with a living will or advance healthcare directive, ensuring your wishes are honored.

While there are online templates available, it is strongly advised to work with a qualified attorney. Legal professionals ensure the language in your documents is correct, and they serve as valuable witnesses should those decisions ever be challenged. Notarization is also critical—not only to validate the documents, but to confirm that the person signing them (called the principal) is of sound mind and not under duress. This protects both the agent (the person being given power) and the principal from legal disputes down the line.

Families must also respect the decisions of their loved ones when choosing their Power of Attorney. This is often a delicate situation. The chosen person must be trustworthy, organized, and capable of making tough decisions in high-pressure situations. Unfortunately, some family members may feel slighted or left out, while others may have ulterior motives, hoping for personal financial gain. This is precisely why these legal safeguards are necessary—to protect the interests and dignity of our elders and to prevent division during already emotional times.

A Power of Attorney should never be treated as just a signature on a paper. It’s a sacred trust. And when combined with a legally sound will or trust, it ensures that family business is handled with integrity and that wealth, property, and care are preserved for the next generation.

This conversation is not about death—it’s about responsibility. It’s about easing the burden on your loved ones by making your wishes known now while you are able. This newsletter is not only meant to inform but to encourage you to begin this difficult yet necessary discussion with your parents, grandparents, or any elder you care for.

We pray this message inspires you to take the first step. Once the paperwork is complete and filed, there is peace of mind in knowing your affairs are in order. In a time of emergency, it becomes one less burden to bear, allowing your family to focus on healing, unity, and honoring your wishes with dignity