Power of Attorney in Elkhart, Indiana

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Elkhart, IN

Power of attorney in Elkhart, Indiana permits one person to make particular decisions for another, under particular conditions. There are various reasons why one might grant power of attorney. However, most of them revolve around the possible incapacitation of the person granting the power - so that their wishes can be carried out even if they become unable to express them.

The principal is able to dictate the exact 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.

One very frequent reason for granting power of attorney is that the grantor believes that they might become incapacitated, due to age or illness, in the relatively near future, and they want to make sure that their preferences relating to care at the end of their life are followed. Of course, if nobody knows what that person's preferences are, and the patient is unable to express them, family members and doctors will simply have to guess. Obviously, there's a good chance that they could get it wrong. Thus, you should make your desires well-known to those who will be in a position to implement it, and grant, in writing, a person you trust (such as a spouse, life partner, sibling, or adult child) the power to carry out your wishes, if necessary.

In Elkhart, Indiana, 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 Elkhart, Indiana

Power of attorney in Elkhart, Indiana takes 3 main forms. Which one is appropriate for you depends on your particular situation. 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 commonly 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 authority 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 - this gives the attorney-in-fact much more power than limited power of attorney. It can, in theory, give them unlimited power in a certain area of the principal's affairs. The document should lay out clearly what power the attorney-in-fact will wield. This arrangement, when used carefully, can be very useful, permitting the attorney-in-fact to make important decisions for the principal as long as is necessary, because it does not automatically disappear after a single transaction. Furthermore, the principal can revoke the power of attorney at any time.

3. Springing power of attorney - this is similar to durable power of attorney, but the power is conditional. That is, it does not take effect unless some certain event takes place. This event can be anything. Most commonly, however, the agreement authorizes 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 really "incapacitated" to the point that the power of attorney has been triggered. This can lead to a court of law having to decide the issue.

Can a Elkhart, Indiana Lawyer Help?

Because setting up a power of attorney agreement is not always simple in Elkhart, Indiana, 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 Elkhart

Elkhart, Indiana is a city located in Elkhart County, just south of the Illinois border. As of the 2000 Census, it has a population of about 52,000 people. Until the early 1800s, the area now known as Elkhart was mainly populated by various American Indian tribes, including the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi. In 1829, settlers established the village of Pulaski, which consisted of little more than a post office, a saw mill, and a few homes. Modernly, Elkhart, Indiana is known as a major center for a niche industry: the manufacture of musical instruments. Several such manufacturers have set up shop in Elkhart, and have, since the early 20th Century, made up a major portion of the city's industrial base. It is also home to a highly specialized sector of the auto industry - the manufacture of recreational vehicles (RVs). Sadly, because Elkhart, Indiana's industrial base was focused largely on the manufacture of luxury items (musical instruments, RVs, etc.), its economy was particularly hard-hit by the recent economic decline experienced by the U.S., along with most of the industrialized world. However, as the economy begins to look up, with manufacturing increasing, Elkhart, Indiana has plenty of reasons for hope. If you live in or near Elkhart, Indiana, and are facing a legal issue, chances are excellent that an Elkhart, Indiana lawyer can help. Elkhart, Indiana lawyers are experienced in many diverse areas of law. There is almost certainly an Elkhart, Indiana lawyer who can help you.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Regel B.
Regel B.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Caldwell, LA

Brad M.
Brad M.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Sussex, NJ

David L.
David L.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Ashland, OH