Durable Power of Attorney

Be prepared for those times when you may need someone to act on your behalf - medical emergencies, progressive decline, diminished capacity to handle the complex issues in your life.  The puzzle of these times may be more easily solved with some assistance.


By having an established relationship with a professional who has a clear understanding of your preferences, knows how to successfully maneuver through details in the logistics of your life, and uses good skills in communicating your wishes to health care providers, family, and other fiduciary professionals, you can be confident you will  be well represented when those times arise.

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WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY?
An individual must be competent in order to sign a power of attorney. This is an advance planning device that may be used to avoid guardianship, and is often part of the preparation one can make when faced with declining health and making decisions about preferred end-of-life care.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care can include a grant of authority over personal issues, including the ability to make substitute health care decisions. This is a valuable tool for ensuring that the preferences you have stated in the Living Will/Health Care Directive are followed.

Durable Power of Attorney for Finances is a document by which you delegate another, the Attorney-in-Fact, to manage your finances, specifically intended to be effective when unable to make decisions or represent yourself.

The powers delegated to the Attorney-in-Fact are completely within the control of the principle (person being represented).

A power of attorney can be cancelled at any time, while a person is still competent and able to act on his or her own behalf.  When and if an individual wishes to revoke the power of attorney, the revocation must be recorded to protect both individuals involved.

SARI SPIELER,  P.O. Box 161 Freeland, WA  98249             
(206) 947-7274              (360) 331-1615 fax            slspieler@whidbey.com