Power of Attorney in West Hartford, Connecticut

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in West Hartford, CT

In West Hartford, Connecticut, 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.

Any power-of-attorney arrangement creates the possibility that the attorney-in-fact will abuse the power he or she has been granted, and it's simply not feasible to completely eliminate this possibility. It can be minimized, however, by giving the attorney the bare minimum amount of authority 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 granting 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 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.

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

Types of Power of Attorney Arrangements in West Hartford, Connecticut

There are 3 main arrangements that power of attorney can involve in West Hartford, Connecticut. They are:

1. Limited power of attorney - this authorizes 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 occurring 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 finish 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, finishing the deal. The power you've granted them would expire automatically once the deal is done.

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 example, the power 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 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 often 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 West Hartford, Connecticut Lawyer Help?

Formulating a power of attorney agreement in West Hartford, 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 prevent it from being implemented.

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

Life in West Hartford

West Hartford is a Connecticut town located in Hartford County. It has a population of about 64,000 people and was officially incorporated in 1854. It has consistently been ranked as one of the top cities to live in by magazines such as CNN Money and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. West Hartford has been described as a "vacation-worthy" hot spot, as the city features many cutting-edge shopping destinations and restaurants.

For example, some popular destinations in West Hartford include Blue Black Square, Elizabeth Park, Westfarms Mall, and West Hartford Center. West Hartford Center is considered to be the hub or center of the West Hartford community. It has been a gathering place for city residents since the late 17th century.

In addition to West Hartford's thriving economic scene, the city boasts a number of colleges and universities. These include the University of Connecticut Greater Hartford Campus, Saint Joseph College, and the University of Hartford. Notable West Hartford residents have included NBA player Manute Bol and actor John O'Hurley (Peterman from the "Seinfeld" television series).

Lawyers in West Hartford, Connecticut typically assist their clients at the Hartford County Superior Court. Many West Hartford lawyers further contribute to the community through such organizations as the Hartford County Bar Association.

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