Power of Attorney in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Plymouth, MA

Power of attorney in Plymouth, Massachusetts permits one person to make particular decisions for another, under particular conditions. There are several 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.

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 example, if you have very specific wishes concerning end-of-life care, you should, of course, make them clear to the person who will be functioning on your behalf, and make sure they are prepared to carry them out. You should then grant them power of attorney, with the scope limited to particular 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.

Sometimes, you can find pre-printed forms in Plymouth, Massachusetts allowing you to easily draft a power of attorney document. In some cases, this may be all you need. These forms already have the basics of such an agreement committed to writing. All you and the other party have to do is fill in the blanks, per the instructions, and possibly have the forms notarized.

Types of Power of Attorney Arrangements in Plymouth, Massachusetts

There are 3 main arrangements that power of attorney can involve in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They are:

1. Limited power of attorney - this is probably the most limited type 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 authority 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, discussed above, this does not automatically expire, though the principal can end it at any time. It is normally not limited to a single transaction, either. Rather, it covers a broader subject matter, though it still has limits. For example, you could give someone durable power of attorney to make medical decisions for you, but they would only be authorized to act in that context.

3. Springing power of attorney - under this arrangement, the attorney-in-fact does not get power of attorney until the happening of some mentioned event. The specified event is normally the incapacity or disability of the principal, though it can be virtually any event you wish. You should be aware, however, that it is not always clear when the principal has become sufficiently "disabled" for the power of attorney to take effect. This question sometimes has to be determined by a court, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Can a Plymouth, Massachusetts Lawyer Help?

Formulating a power of attorney agreement in Plymouth, Massachusetts 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 Plymouth

Plymouth is best known for being the location of the First Thanksgiving Feast and the capital of Plymouth colony, settled in 1620. It's wrought with Pilgrim history and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement. Plymouth was one of the country's first settlements and attracts tourists to destinations like Plymouth Rock. There's an influx of visitors during the Thanksgiving holiday, schools and families alike. Today, Plymouth is one of two Plymouth County seats and home to 59,000 residents. Jordan Hospital, a major regional medical center, is the largest employer in the city. Aside from tourism, Plymouth has seen a great boom in their research and telecommunications industries. Plymouth is also home to the only nuclear power plant in Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station.

To accommodate the high number of tourists, there are lots of outstanding restaurants and accommodations. The lucky folks who get to move to Plymouth often seek out The Pinehills, a private residential development with two golf courses, a country club, and shopping village. For the children of residents, The Plymouth School System is the largest in Massachusetts with an enrollment of over 8,000 and the First Student Bus Company to provide transportation. Plymouth is host to many other convenient methods of transportation including rail, airport, highway, and ferry services to nearby municipalities. Plymouth is popular among professionals like lawyers. Plymouth lawyers are familiar with local courts and advising on a wide variety of legal matters. Many local lawyers are licensed to practice in a number of local New England states.

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