Power of Attorney in Burke, Virginia

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Burke, VA

If you want to give somebody the legal authority to make certain decisions on your behalf in Burke, Virginia, you are giving them "power of attorney." There are many different types of power of attorney, to be discussed in more detail below, but they all boil down to one common element: the authority of one person to make decisions for another. I'm sure you can think of many reasons why somebody might want to give this power to another person, especially in the medical context (in case the grantor becomes incapacitated, for example).

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.

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. Therefore, it becomes necessary to have somebody else who knows what they would want, and has the legal authority to give effect to those wishes.

Sometimes, you can find pre-printed forms in Burke, Virginia 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 Burke, Virginia

In Burke, Virginia, power of attorney can take three basic forms. They are as follows:

1. Limited power of attorney - this lets the attorney-in-fact exercise limited authority in a single transaction. It is useful, for example, if someone is buying property in another state, and the deal is nearly complete, but a few documents need to be signed. The buyer could give a resident of that state power of attorney, allowing him or her to complete the transaction on the buyer's behalf. Conveniently, the power automatically terminates when the transaction is complete.

2. Durable power of attorney - unlike limited power of attorney, discussed above, this does not automatically expire, though the principal can terminate it at any time. It is usually 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 allowed to act in that context.

3. Springing power of attorney - this is a form of power of attorney which doesn't actually take effect until the occurrence of some specified 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 Burke, Virginia Lawyer Help?

Creating a power of attorney agreement in Burke, Virginia 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 Burke

Burke, Virginia isa community in Fairfax County. Its population is nearly 60,000 people, as of the 2000 Census.

The area now known as Burke has been populated by humans since prehistory, but really began to come into its own as a town in the 1840s, when the construction of a railroad brought industry and jobs.

The railroad station, and the accompanying post offices and telegraph stations, proved strategically important during the American Civil War, with both sides fighting to control the town.

Modernly, like much of Fairfax County, Burke, Virginia is considered a suburb of Washington, D.C. After WWI, many employees of the federal government began to move to Burke, because the Capital was easily accessible, thanks to the railroad.

Burke, Virginia is served by several public transportation options that connect it to Washington, D.C., as well as major federal facilities in the surrounding area, such as the Pentagon.

Given the large number of government employees who live in Burke, as well as its residential character, it shouldn't be a surprise that there are plenty of Burke, Virginia lawyers who can handle a legal issue that the average person is likely to face.

Whatever legal matter you're facing, or think you might have to face soon, it's an excellent idea to, at the very least, speak with a Burke, Virginia lawyer.

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