Power of Attorney in Stamford, Connecticut

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Stamford, CT

In Stamford, Connecticut, power of attorney is an arrangement in which one person (the principal) gives another (the attorney-in-fact) the capacity to act on the principal's behalf in particular situations, and under particular conditions. Power of attorney might be authorized for any number of reasons, but it is most commonly set up to allow the attorney-in-fact to make financial and medical decisions on the principal's behalf in the event that the principal becomes incapacitated.

Any power-of-attorney arrangement creates the possibility that the attorney-in-fact will abuse the power he or she has been authorized, and it's simply not feasible to totally eliminate this possibility. It can be minimized, however, by giving the attorney the bare minimum amount of power needed to carry out your wishes, and making your wishes known in writing (with copies held by at least one other person) well in advance. When authorizing power of attorney, you can typically grant as much authority as you want, so you need to be very careful, and only give this legal authority to somebody you know and trust. Also, you should consider your circumstances and objectives when determining what type of power to grant.

For example, some people have particular wishes, whether based on religion or personal preference, about how they should be cared for at the end of their life. Oftentimes, people who are at the end of their lives become unable to express their wishes. Thus, it becomes necessary to have somebody else who knows what they would want, and has the legal authority to give effect to those wishes.

Typically, you can find forms in Stamford, Connecticut that let you quickly draft a power of attorney document. However, if a massive amount of money is at stake, or you wish to grant very particular and limited powers, you should probably consult with a lawyer beforehand.

Types of Power of Attorney Arrangements in Stamford, Connecticut

In Stamford, Connecticut, power of attorney can take three main forms. They are as follows:

1. Limited power of attorney - this is the most limited form of power of attorney. It lets the attorney-in-fact exercise his or her power once, and in only one instance (laid out by the principal, of course). This is usually used in business deals, if it is not convenient for the actual party to a deal to be physically present for the signing of some documents, it can be done through an attorney-in-fact. You simply need to give them the permission to sign the paperwork on your behalf, and it will be just as binding as if you had signed the documents yourself.

2. Durable power of attorney - this gives the attorney in fact the power to make decisions on a general area of the principal's affairs (for instance, the authority to access the principal's assets to pay the principal's debts, or the power to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the principal). Unlike limited power of attorney, durable power of attorney does not expire unless the principal revokes it. This is useful, because it authorizes the attorney-in-fact to make important decisions for the principal if the principal becomes incapacitated.

3. Springing power of attorney - this is close to durable power of attorney, but the power is conditional. That is, it does not take effect unless some certain event takes place. This event can be anything. Most commonly, however, the agreement authorizes the attorney-in-fact to make important medical and financial decisions for the principal, only in the event that the principal becomes incapacitated. However, there are sometimes disagreements over whether or not a person is really "incapacitated" to the point that the power of attorney has been triggered. This can lead to a court of law having to determine the issue.

Can a Stamford, Connecticut Lawyer Help?

Formulating a power of attorney agreement in Stamford, Connecticut is not always easy. And even if the arrangement you want to set up is relatively simple, it might still be a good idea to have a lawyer go over it, just to make sure that there are no flaws that might keep it from being implemented.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Stamford

Stamford is located in the greater New York metropolitan region, is the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England. It has a population of about 122,643 people.

Popular attractions primarily comprise of parks and recreational sites. Some attractions include Cummings Park, Terry Connors Ice Rink, Scalzi Park, Mill River Park, and Cove Island Park. Other popular sites to visit include the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Barlett Arboretum and Gardens, Stamford Center for the Arts and the Stamford Symphony Orchestra.

Stamford is a diverse area with all races, including Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic. As a result, many residents are bilingual.

Many large companies have office locations in Stamford. These companies include World Wrestling Entertainment, Tasty Bite, Pitney Bowes, UBS and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Stamford is also home to many law firms and offices which train many competent attorneys to handle any and all legal inquires.

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