Power of Attorney in Huntsville, Alabama

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Huntsville, AL

In Huntsville, Alabama, 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.

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 desires for your end-of-life care, but are worried that you won't be able to express your wishes when the time comes, you can grant someone power of attorney in advance, so they'll be able to ensure that your wishes are carried out, if necessary. You should draft an agreement giving the attorney-in-fact power of attorney only in the event that you really become incapacitated. Presumably, if you are able to make and express your own medical decisions, you'll want to do it yourself.

In Huntsville, Alabama, 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 Huntsville, Alabama

Power of attorney in Huntsville, Alabama takes 3 main forms. Which one is appropriate for you depends on your particular case. They are:

1. Limited power of attorney - this is probably the most limited form of power of attorney. It lets someone act on your behalf in a single instance. It is used most commonly in large sales transactions involving a written contract. If the closing of the deal is set to take place far away from where one of the parties is located, they can give limited power of attorney to someone who is closer. All you have to do is give that person the power to act on your behalf in this one transaction. This authority automatically expires once the deal is finished.

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 form of power of attorney which doesn't really take effect until the occurrence of some mentioned event. This event can be anything, but it is usually the principal becoming disabled. You should be aware, though, that it is not always clear what "disabled" means in such an agreement, which can result in disagreements, resulting in litigation.

Can a Huntsville, Alabama Lawyer Help?

Because setting up a power of attorney agreement is not always simple in Huntsville, Alabama, it's never imprudent to at least talk 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 Huntsville

With close to 180,000 residents, Huntsville Alabama is a city that is home to some major attractions. Located in the Northern region of Alabama, Huntsville was named on "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2010 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. How did Huntsville get this honor? Because of the great amount of civil war history, NASA rockets, and beautiful geography Huntsville has to offer its residents and visitors alike.

Huntsville is located in the Tennessee River Valley, a location that lends itself to hot summers and mild winters. Because of its location, Huntsville also has tornadoes in the spring and fall.

The Marshall Flight Center is another major point of interest in Huntsville. Dedicated by President Eisenhower, the presence of the flight center has given Huntsville its nickname-- "Rocket City" and has been home to some great space developments since the 1950's.

Professional industries also thrive in Huntsville. Huntsville lawyers are a great asset to the city and the overall legal profession. Lawyers specializing in a range of practices are available to serve their clients with any legal need he or she may have. Huntsville is simply a great place to work, live, and play.

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