Power of Attorney in Springfield, Missouri

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Springfield, MO

In Springfield, Missouri, "power of attorney" refers to a number of different legal arrangements. However, the numerous systems which fall under the umbrella of that term have one thing in common: if somebody grants power of attorney to somebody else, the person with power of attorney is authorized to make given decisions on behalf of the person who granted it. There are many reasons why a person might want to grant this power to another, but it usually granted in contemplation of the possibility that the grantor might become unable to express his or her wishes due to some form of incapacity.

The principal is able to dictate the particular scope of the attorney-in-fact's authority. If you are giving someone power of attorney, you're probably planning on giving it to a close friend, family member, or life partner. The exact scope of the power is up to you, and will depend on what your goals are.

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. Consequently, it becomes necessary to have somebody else who knows what they would want, and has the legal authority to give effect to those wishes.

In Springfield, Missouri, you can find pre-printed power-of-attorney forms in many office supply stores. If the agreement you want to create isn't very complex, these could be a viable and very affordable option. Of course, it never hurts to have a lawyer help.

Types of Power of Attorney Arrangements in Springfield, Missouri

In Springfield, Missouri, power of attorney can take three general forms. They are as follows:

1. Limited power of attorney - this permits the attorney-in-fact to act on your behalf on a single subject, in one instance. This is a good option if you are involved in a business transaction happening in another state or country. Suppose you want to buy a house on the other side of the country, and just need to sign a few papers to complete the deal. Rather than incurring the expense of traveling there, you could give limited power of attorney to a third party who lives in that state, and they can sign the paperwork for you, finalizing the deal. The power you've granted them would expire automatically once the deal is done.

2. Durable power of attorney - this lets an attorney-in-fact make decisions in a certain, defined area of the principal's affairs. Durable power of attorney doesn't automatically disappear, and can last indefinitely, or until the principal revokes it. This can be very useful, because it permits the attorney-in-fact to make critical decisions for the principal, but allows the principal to revoke the power if they regain the capacity to make their own decisions.

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 particular event takes place. This event can be anything. Most frequently, however, the agreement permits 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 truly "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 Springfield, Missouri Lawyer Help?

Because setting up a power of attorney agreement is not always straightforward in Springfield, Missouri, it's never imprudent to at least speak with a lawyer beforehand. As with any legal agreement, there are things that can go wrong, which laypersons may not foresee.

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

Life in Springfield

Springfield, Missouri is the third-largest city in the state of Missouri. It has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Springfield has a long and fascinating history. During the Civil War, Missouri was a border state, and its population was divided in its loyalty to the Union and the Confederacy. Both the Union and the Confederacy claimed Missouri, and its star was on the flags of both sides. It also had two separate governments, one loyal to the union, and one to the confederacy. Both purported to be the legitimate government of the entire state. There were many small skirmishes between rival towns and neighbors, essentially creating a war within a war. As a result, Springfield, MO was the site of many clashes during the war. Springfield, MO also gave rise to the "Wild West" era of American history. In 1865, there was a "quick draw" shootout in the town square. This was the only such shootout ever recorded in American history, even though they're now a staple of Western movies.

Modernly, Springfield is a thriving city, with an economy based on education, healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism. Kraft Foods and 3M, among other major corporations, have manufacturing facilities in Springfield, MO.

As a result, it goes without saying that there are many sophisticated and skilled attorneys in Springfield, MO. If you can think of a legal practice area, you can be almost certain that there's at least one (and probably more) Springfield, MO lawyer who practices it, and can help you with your legal problem.

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