Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyer

Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyer

In Baton Rouge, a power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf, ensuring your interests are protected when you cannot act for yourself. This powerful tool can cover financial, medical, or other personal matters, tailored to your specific needs under Louisiana law. A Baton Rouge power of attorney lawyer can help.

Choose Experienced Power of Attorney Lawyers in Baton Rouge

Watson, Blanche, Wilson & Posner, LLP has been around since the 1960s. During this time, we have worked with many professional clients, including healthcare systems. This means that we understand what’s needed in power of attorney services in order for medical providers and loved ones to be able to respect your wishes.

Power of Attorney Lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA

Effectively using advance directives and powers of attorney can be extremely important for families.

An advance directive, also known as a living will, allows for the documentation of medical wishes at the end of life. This can include situations when someone is:

• Unable to make medical decisions
• In the medical condition specified in the state’s living will law (such as “terminal illness” or “permanent unconsciousness”)

Powers of attorney can also help plan for unexpected catastrophic events. This is important even for those without extensive assets so they can avoid conservatorship proceedings that can compromise one’s wishes. Powers of attorney agreements can also further define end-of-life decisions and who will make them.

Benefits of a Power of Attorney

Some people do not understand the value of a power of attorney document, but there are several benefits to creating one ahead of time, including:

• Outside knowledge: You have flexibility in choosing your agent, whether a professional like a financial planner who can leverage their knowledge to the benefit of your estate, or a trusted individual whose reliability provides peace of mind.
• Ability to make changes: As long as you are still of sound mind, you can change or even eliminate your power of attorney document. You can modify the agreement’s details or adjust the responsibilities of different estate elements. This also includes limiting agents to only performing certain tasks, like selling investments or transferring assets.
• Control over timing: You can specify the duration of an agent’s authority, choosing whether it lasts indefinitely or expires after a set period. You can also set conditions, such as triggering the document only upon a specific event, like a medical issue.
• Streamlined communication: One of the most important benefits of a power of attorney is the ability to maintain a simple line of communication. This is especially helpful in stressful situations like medical emergencies. If you are incapacitated at a hospital in the Ochsner Health System, your loved ones do not need to wonder what to do because the directions are already laid out.
• Protection of your assets: 6% of Baton Rouge residents own their own homes. Many of them want to pass on their homes to their children after they’re gone. Without a valid power of attorney, this could be more difficult. It is much easier to act on someone’s behalf while using a power of attorney to do things like transfer assets.

Most people do not want to think about becoming incapacitated, but doing so can help your family in the long run. This increases the chances that your medical wishes are honored and your assets are well managed.

Why Hire a Power of Attorney Lawyer?

If you are planning for or are faced with any such issues, an experienced Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyer is an incredibly important asset. Working with an attorney is important when considering something so serious as a power of attorney. These documents carry significant legal weight, so it’s crucial to ensure they accurately reflect your wishes. Creating them yourself can lead to your loved ones dealing with legal issues that you cannot settle yourself.

First and foremost, when you hire a power of attorney lawyer, they can evaluate your entire situation. They can review aspects such as your health, family, and finances. Everyone needs a tailored estate plan that addresses their unique issues, and an attorney can provide that for you.

Some people benefit from certain tools within an estate plan, but others do not. There is no single solution for what an estate plan should look like. Attorneys help guide you on what to include and how to create it. If your situation changes, they can review the plan and make changes as needed. Finally, your estate plan can give your loved ones peace of mind. Knowing that all the details of your estate plan have been addressed according to your wishes can take away worries and anxiety.

Why Choose Us?

Having worked in and around the medical and hospital community for nearly three quarters of a century in Baton Rouge, Watson, Blanche, Wilson & Posner, LLP, intimately understands the particular dynamics and issues involved in advance directives and power of attorney issues. The firm is ready to bring its experience to help you reach a best possible resolution as efficiently and effectively as possible.

FAQs About Baton Rouge, LA Power of Attorney Laws

What Kind of Lawyer Deals With POA?

A lawyer who deals with a POA (power of attorney) is normally an estate planning lawyer. They do much more than draft POAs, including drafting wills and trusts. Generally, POAs are most effective when paired with other documents in an estate plan. This provides a more thorough overview of your whole situation.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Power of Attorney in Baton Rouge?

You do not need a lawyer to get a power of attorney in Baton Rouge, but homemade power of attorney documents are typically less effective. Skilled attorneys understand the Baton Rouge power of attorney laws and can ensure the document is enforceable and works as intended when required. If you complete it on your own, it might be too vague or include loopholes that make the document useless.

Can You Rescind a Power of Attorney?

You can rescind or change a power of attorney in Louisiana. You can do this as long as you still have the mental faculties to understand the consequences of these actions. This normally has to be done in writing. Working with an attorney can help ensure the revocation is official and delivered to the right people, so they are aware.

Can You Give More Than One Person Power of Attorney?

You can give more than one person power of attorney. They can overlap in responsibility or each have control of separate areas. It is important to distinguish who has power over what in a power of attorney if you choose to have multiple people in charge. That way, everyone is clear on what they are controlling and what they are not. An experienced power of attorney lawyer can help you set this up.

Protect Your Assets for Your Loved Ones

Only about 33% of Americans have an estate plan. For the other 67%, they are leaving it up to the courts to decide what happens in the event of an emergency or a catastrophe. Planning ahead for power of attorney cases does not take much time and can provide immeasurable relief. Protect yourself, your assets, and your loved ones with the legal documents necessary. Schedule a consultation with Watson, Blanche, Wilson & Posner, LLP today.