Proficient Redlands Estate Planning Lawyers Establish Durable Powers of Attorney

Protecting your assets in the event of incapacity

While many people consider estate planning for after they pass away, you should also think about what will happen with your assets if you remain alive, but are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. This situation can be tough on families, sometimes resulting in litigation to establish control over the estate in question. The San Bernardino attorneys at James B. Church, P.C., Attorneys at Law help you establish a durable power of attorney that allows a designated person to manage your legal and financial affairs if you become incapacitated.

The advantages of a durable power of attorney in estate planning

Most power of attorney agreements are terminated once the person who signed it becomes mentally incapacitated, but a durable power of attorney appoints another party to take control of your estate, and remains effective when you become incapacitated. This person, referred to as an “attorney in fact,” manages income and government benefits and assists with healthcare decisions and payments.

Establishing a durable power of attorney is an essential part of estate planning, providing you with a number of benefits:

• Simplicity. A durable power of attorney agreement is a simple way to arrange for a trusted person to handle your financial and legal affairs without giving that person the ability to dispose of the property for their own use.
• Lack of interference. These agreements do not interfere with your will or trust. The agreement expires with the death of the person who created it, releasing assets to be distributed as specified in the regular estate plan.
• Flexibility. A skillfully drafted durable power of attorney agreement is flexible enough to allow for changing conditions, such as adjusting your permanent residence if you need to move into a long-term care facility.

Why do you need a skilled estate planning attorney?

Establishing a durable power of attorney is a very important decision, and you need to be sure that you have all of the information you need to feel comfortable with your choice. Working with an experienced San Bernardino estate planning lawyer at James B. Church, P.C.,, you can develop a solid yet flexible durable power of attorney agreement that puts your estate into the hands of someone you trust.  You want to make decisions while you are able to do so.  Do not leave this decision up to a judge that does not and cannot know your desires.

Speak with a San Bernardino County lawyer today

Learn more about durable powers of attorney by contacting James B. Church, P.C., online or by calling 909-283-0659. The firm’s Redlands office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with plenty of onsite parking available.