Power of Attorney in Janesville, Wisconsin

Find the right Power of Attorney attorney in Janesville, WI

If you want to give somebody the legal right to make certain decisions on your behalf in Janesville, Wisconsin, 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 power 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, particularly in the medical context (in case the grantor becomes incapacitated, for example).

The principal in a power-of-attorney arrangement is the one who decides the scope of the power that the attorney will be able to wield, and the circumstances under which they can wield it. Generally, you can grant the attorney-in-fact as much or as little decision-making power as you'd like. In every case, however, you should only enter a power-of-attorney arrangement with somebody you trust. The nature of the power you should grant depends heavily on the context, and what your wishes are.

For instance, if you have very particular 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 ready 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.

In Janesville, Wisconsin, 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 Janesville, Wisconsin

Power of attorney in Janesville, Wisconsin takes 3 main forms. Which one is appropriate for you depends on your particular case. They are:

1. Limited power of attorney - this lets the attorney-in-fact exercise limited authority in a single transaction. It is useful, for instance, if someone is buying property in another state, and the deal is nearly fulfilled, but a few documents need to be signed. The buyer could give a resident of that state power of attorney, permitting 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 - this lets an attorney-in-fact make decisions in a certain, defined 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 essential 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 Janesville, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

Because there are sometimes difficult issues involved in setting up power of attorney in Janesville, Wisconsin, you should consult with a lawyer beforehand. You can tell the lawyer all of the relevant details about your individual situation, and your goals, and he or she will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

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

Life in Janesville

With a population of 61,310 Janesville, Wisconsin has it all. Janesville is located in South Central Wisconsin and was founded in 1835. Since its founding, the charming city has done nothing but grow and prosper. Janesville was named after an early settler to the town -- Henry James.

Janesville was the site of the first Wisconsin State Fair in 1851, an event that over 10,000 people attended. It is no wonder then that so many people enjoy visiting and living in Janesville. Janesville is also home to lots of historical homes, in fact 20% of the nationally registered historic homes in Wisconsin are in Janesville. Aptly named "City of Parks," Janesville has an extensive park system that includes nature trails, boat lakes, and 53 parks in total.

Janesville is also home to some interesting legal history. Janesville lawyers are some of the best in the business and Janesville is also home to Wisconsin's first female lawyer --Lavinia Goddell in 1874. In addition to lawyers, there are lots of other great business and industry which make the city a great place to start a career.

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