Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. My husband and I need to put a power of attorney in place. What are some important considerations to know about as we do this?
A. There are critical considerations for people to think about when putting a power of attorney in place. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows a designated agent to represent you should you become incapacitated in health or financial circumstances. The agent you choose acts on your behalf when it becomes necessary. There are two separate documents to consider. One document pertains to your health and the other to your finances. An elder law attorney can be most helpful when considering this document. You may also choose to put one in place with the help of a trust attorney. In any case, it will be important to know a few things. Your agent is a very important part of your POA. Some people choose their children. Depending on your circumstances this may or may not be the best choice. You may also wish to designate a second agent in case the first one cannot perform their duties. I recommend working with a professional to put this document in place. If you have a trust, you may already have this document in place within your trust. If you already have a power of attorney in place, you might want to check with your attorney to make sure you have the most current format. Your estate planner will be able to review your documents to ensure you have the most up-to-date versions. Having your existing estate plan reviewed may be the best decision for you and your loved ones. These documents are powerful tools that can be used to assist and protect yourself or a loved one. You can learn more on the State of IL Department of Aging website. That website is: www.illinois.gov/aging/AboutUs/Pages/legal_adv-directives.aspx
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
