Power of Attorney in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Oshkosh, WI

If you want to give somebody the legal right to make certain decisions on your behalf in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, you are giving them "power of attorney." There are many different types of power of attorney, to be discussed in more detail below, but they all boil down to one common element: the power of one person to make decisions for another. I'm sure you can think of many reasons why somebody might want to give this power to another person, particularly in the medical context (in case the grantor becomes incapacitated, for example).

The principal in a power-of-attorney arrangement is the one who decides the scope of the power that the attorney will be able to wield, and the circumstances under which they can wield it. Generally, you can grant the attorney-in-fact as much or as little decision-making power as you'd like. In every case, however, you should only enter a power-of-attorney arrangement with somebody you trust. The nature of the power you should grant depends heavily on the context, and what your wishes are.

For instance, if you have very particular wishes concerning end-of-life care, you should, of course, make them clear to the person who will be acting on your behalf, and make sure they are ready to carry them out. You should then grant them power of attorney, with the scope limited to certain healthcare and financial decisions. That way, if you become incapacitated, your loved one will be able to carry out your wishes, even if you are unable to express them.

In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 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 Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Power of attorney in Oshkosh, Wisconsin takes 3 main forms. Which one is appropriate for you depends on your individual case. They are:

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 regularly 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 right 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 - unlike limited power of attorney, this does not automatically expire, and can last as long as the principal wishes. It can also be revoked by the principal. For instance, if you want someone to handle your financial affairs for a time, you can give them the relevant power in your power of attorney agreement, and it will last as long as you want it to. Of course, you should only give such authority to someone you trust.

3. Springing power of attorney - this is a lot like durable power of attorney, but it does not usually take effect immediately. Rather, the power vests on the occurrence of certain condition(s) laid out by the principal. The principal could make the condition anything he or she wants, allowing power of attorney to vest only if, say, a person flies to Saturn. Of course, these arrangements are usually not so outlandish. Usually the event that must take place is the principal becoming incapacitated. This allows the principal to make his or her own decisions while they're able, but also ensures that someone they trust will be able to carry out their wishes in the event that they become too sick or weak to express them.

Can a Oshkosh, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

Because there are sometimes perplexing issues involved in setting up power of attorney in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, you should consult with a lawyer beforehand. You can tell the lawyer all of the relevant details about your particular situation, and your goals, and he or she will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

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

Life in Oshkosh

Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a city in Winnebago County. According to a Census estimate from 2007, its population is approximately 64,000 people.

Oshkosh is named the Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means "claw" in the Menominee language. He was one of the first Native Americans in the area to make contact with European settlers and fur traders in the 18th Century.

During the early 19th Century, the area gradually grew as a trading post for furs, meat, and other natural resources that were abundant in the frontier. By the mid-19th Century, the industrial revolution was underway, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin's economy boomed thanks to its abundant lumber, and the building boom brought on by industry. The presence of navigable waterways and, later, the arrival of a railroad made the area even more attractive for this industry.

Modernly, Oshkosh is a fairly quiet city, with a large number of residential neighborhoods. Its economy is faring relatively well, compared to other cities in the region, doing slightly better than the national average in several indicators, such as unemployment and the percentage of people below the poverty line.

If you live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and have a legal issue, it's likely that there's an attorney who can handle it, no matter how complicated or simple it is. Oshkosh, Wisconsin lawyers can handle just about any case you can throw at them.

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