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If you live in Shelby, a power of attorney lawyer from our firm can help you assign power of attorney to someone you trust. This power gives them the legal right to make important decisions on your behalf if something were to happen to you.
The thought of being temporarily or even permanently incapacitated is understandably unpleasant. However, ignoring the possibility and leaving your future to chance is not wise. Our team can help you settle such matters as quickly and cleanly as possible.
A Wills and Estates Administration Lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help you with all aspects of designating power of attorney in Shelby, North Carolina, including:
- Assessing your situation at no cost or obligation
- Finding the right forms for you to fill out (they vary depending on what type of power of attorney you are designating)
- Going over each form with you and even helping you to fill them out so there are no mistakes
- Making changes to existing legal documents, including revoking power of attorney and/or designating a new power of attorney
We understand that dealing with matters like power of attorney can be grim or even upsetting, so our team makes a point of always being there for our clients when they need us. This includes but is certainly not limited to:
- Responding to calls and emails in a reasonable amount of time
- Reviewing key legal concepts and forms in terms you can understand
- Updating you when your forms are accepted or if something else happens
- Prioritizing your interests and ensuring you feel comfortable during what can be a stressful process
How to Designate Power of Attorney
In North Carolina, the process of giving someone power of attorney is relatively straightforward, so long as you are clear about who you are designating and what decisions you empower them to make. For instance:
Healthcare Power of Attorney
The person who has healthcare power of attorney can make medical decisions for you. This commonly refers to:
- Deciding whether to resuscitate you or take you off life support in the event of a grievous injury
- What happens to your body after death (e.g., decisions regarding organ donation, autopsies, and so on)
- Gaining access to your medical records to inform their decision
- Coordinating with your healthcare providers to decide how to treat you
The healthcare power of attorney form provided by the North Carolina Secretary of State requires you to provide specific information about:
- The designee’s name and contact information
- What kinds of decisions that person is authorized to make
- Whether you place any limitations on the person’s power—for example, you can give them the power to take you off life support and nothing else, or you can give them complete power over all medical matters
We can go over this form with you to make sure you thoroughly understand what you are agreeing to and what your rights are.
Business or Financial Power of Attorney
If you own or co-own a business, you may want to appoint someone who will decide what to do with your stake in that business if you are unable to fulfill your duties. Even if you do not own a business, you have financial matters (e.g., filing taxes) that may need taking care of even after something happens to you.
The North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) provides a form that allows you to give a designated individual permission to view your tax information, make business decisions on your behalf, and more. Again, our firm can help you to better understand the implications of designating this power.
To Whom Should I Designate Power of Attorney?
You can designate power of attorney to anyone you trust with your future. Many people choose a family member or even a close friend. For business matters, you can designate a professional, such as an accountant or a lawyer, if you prefer.
If you want help deciding who might be the best person to give power of attorney to, you can ask an attorney from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC. We understand the types of responsibilities a power of attorney may have and what qualities or qualifications may help them fulfill your wishes.
Do I Need Power of Attorney?
Designating power of attorney is not legally required. However, it can provide both you and your loved ones with peace of mind and prevent any fighting about what happens to you or your assets if you are incapacitated.
You deserve the peace of knowing your affairs are settled. Your loved ones deserve the chance to process your incapacitation without uncertainty, guilt, or arguments.
Other Estate Planning Services to Consider
“Getting one’s affairs in order” may sound like something that should only concern the sick or the elderly. However, people of all ages can benefit from solid estate planning. Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC is proud to be able to help Shelby residents with important matters like:
- Creating a will that meets legal requirements and ensures the deceased’s wishes are carried out
- Estate probate, or helping you fight for the assets you know you are entitled to after a loved one dies without a clear, legally binding will
- Assigning someone to act as guardian to your children or adult dependents if you pass away or are incapacitated
- Assigning a guardian ad litem to look after your children’s interests during a legal action
Those who call us for a free consultation can find out which of our estate planning services may be most beneficial, both now and in the future. No matter how you want to protect your loved ones and your assets, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help.
We Provide Free, No-Risk Consultations
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC at any time to learn more about how we can help with your power of attorney and other estate planning needs. This consultation is confidential, free, and places you under no obligation to retain our services. Shelby residents are encouraged to contact us and discover how a lawyer can make estate planning much simpler.
