Billings Power of Attorney Lawyers 

Expert Legal Assistance for Power of Attorney Cases in Montana 

A crucial component of estate planning involves preparing for incapacity. Consider what would happen if you suddenly became unable to speak due to an unforeseen injury or illness. Who would pay your bills and handle your financial affairs? Who would communicate with your health care professionals and ensure your medical preferences are honored? Implementing a power of attorney document protects you in these scenarios by allowing someone else to act on your behalf.

At Dietrich & Associates, P.C., our clients’ best interests are our top priority. Our Billings power of attorney lawyers have years of experience and can help you draft the documents you need to secure peace of mind. We can create a power of attorney agreement that protects your rights and limits the possibility of disputes and unwarranted claims.  

Our team will work tirelessly to ensure your document meets your unique needs. Contact us online or call (406) 344-1310 to schedule an initial consultation.

Understanding Power of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone to act on another person’s behalf. The creator of the POA is the “principal,” and the “agent” is the person named in the document who will act on behalf of the principal. Several different types of power of attorney documents are available.

• In a general POA, the principal gives their agent a comprehensive level of authority. An agent in this arrangement generally has the right to make any legal decision on behalf of the principal. They also tend to have authority over the principal’s finances, property, and medical care. 
• You can limit the scope of your agent’s authority in a limited POA. This type of arrangement allows you to specifically define the responsibilities of your agent or what you give your agent permission to do. For example, you might use a limited POA to appoint an agent to sign certain types of contracts on your behalf. 
• Authority granted by a POA document also does not have to last indefinitely. In a limited POA, you can set a specific time limit in which your agent can handle certain affairs. If you are going on a month-long vacation, for example, you might use a limited POA to give an agent the ability to oversee financial matters until you return. 
• Many choose to implement “springing” POA documents that only activate when the principal becomes incapacitated. This can be especially useful when planning for long-term care. 
• You can also create more than one POA document and appoint multiple agents to handle different types of tasks. A medical POA might choose an agent to make health care decisions, while a separate financial POA can authorize someone to handle other affairs. 

POA documents can be tailored to suit your unique needs. Our Billings power of attorney lawyers will review your objectives and help you explore all available options.

Selecting a Trustworthy Agent for Your Power of Attorney

When creating any type of POA document, you must choose an agent. Depending on the scope of your POA, you may be giving someone a great deal of power. Consequently, your agent should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes and competently handle your affairs. It is generally wise to avoid someone who is ill, unorganized, bad with money, or otherwise likely to be unable to carry out the POA’s responsibilities.

Keep in mind you do not necessarily have to name a relative. Any person, including a financial or legal professional, can potentially serve as your agent. Our Billings power of attorney lawyers can advise whether your preferred arrangement is likely to protect your interests. 

Ready to take the next step? Contact Dietrich & Associates, P.C. today or call (406) 344-1310 for personalized assistance with your power of attorney needs in Billings.