Power of Attorney in Foster City, California

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Foster City, CA

In Foster City, California, power of attorney is an arrangement in which one person (the principal) gives another (the attorney-in-fact) the ability to act on the principal's behalf in particular situations, and under particular conditions. Power of attorney might be granted 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.

If you are giving someone power of attorney, it's up to you to decide clearly what kind of decisions they will be able to make, and when they'll be able to make them. In any case, however, it's very important that you completely trust the person to whom you're granting this authority, since any power of attorney, even if it's very limited in scope, can be abused. Obviously, whatever type and amount of power you wish to give will depend on your intentions, as well as many external factors.

For instance, some people have specific 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.

In Foster City, California, you can sometimes find pre-printed forms that let you easily draft a power-of-attorney agreement. However, if your situation is particularly complex, you should probably have a lawyer draft it for you, to ensure that the agreement is enforceable, or that there are no surprises.

Types of Power of Attorney Arrangements in Foster City, California

There are 3 main arrangements that power of attorney can involve in Foster City, California. They are:

1. Limited power of attorney - limited power of attorney gives the attorney-in-fact the power to act on your behalf on a single issue, in a single transaction. For example, if you are buying a house in another state, you may wish to grant limited power of attorney to a friend or relative who lives in that state, so they can sign all of the appropriate documents on your behalf, so you don't have to incur travel expenses. For obvious reasons, you should only grant this power to someone you trust. Once the transaction is complete, the power of attorney automatically disappears.

2. Durable power of attorney - this lets an attorney-in-fact make decisions in a particular, specified 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 authorizes the attorney-in-fact to make crucial 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 - springing power of attorney is much like durable power of attorney, with one key difference: the power only takes effect upon the happening of a particular event. The principal is free to set whatever conditions they like in this arrangement, no matter how outlandish. Of course, in most cases, the setup is much more practical. A frequent arrangement permits a close friend or family member to make certain decisions for someone else, but only if that person becomes unable to make them himself.

Can a Foster City, California Lawyer Help?

While setting up power of attorney in Foster City, California can be simple, there are some instances in which it will inevitably be complicated. In such cases, the process will be much easier if you have a brilliant attorney to help you along the way.

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

Life in Foster City

Foster City, California is a master-planned city situated in San Mateo County. It has a population of about 31,000 and is sometimes held to be part of Silicon Valley due to its local industry. Foster City is considered an affluent community and has been featured several times in Forbes Magazine as well as Money Magazine.

As a master-planned city, Foster City offers many advantages and amenities, such as an efficient distribution of stores, restaurants, and resources. Master planning helps developers avoid "haphazard" construction and city layout. This has contributed to much of Foster's City's clean and pristine appearance. Foster City is also home to a number of attractions, including a boardwalk, a 9-hole golf course, an extensive million Teen Activities Center, and a public amphitheater. Windsurfing is extremely popular within city limits.

Foster City, California is also known for being an important center for many high-tech companies as well as financial organizations. The city is headquarters to many nationally recognized businesses such as Adchemy, Gilead Sciences, Life Technologies, Live365, Philips, Sony Computer Entertainment America, and many others. One can access several points in the Bay Area from Foster City due to its location near the San Mateo Bridge.

Lawyers in Foster City, California often represent their clients at the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo. The court house has integrated much new technology including an electronic document camera. Foster City attorneys are available for assistance in many different fields of law.

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