Plan for the Unexpected: Protect Yourself with Powers of Attorney

Life doesn’t always give us a warning.

Imagine if you’re in a car accident on your way home from work and end up in the hospital, unconscious and unable to speak for yourself. You are incapacitated! Your family rushes to your side, but without Powers of Attorney or Health Care Directives in place, they can’t legally access your bank accounts to pay bills, make decisions about your care, or even speak with doctors about your treatment plan. Instead, they may be forced to go to court to be appointed as your guardian—a stressful, time-consuming, and costly process during an already emotional time.

What is incapacity?

Incapacity means not being able to make or communicate decisions for yourself

Something that can happen unexpectedly due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. Without the right documents in place, even your closest loved ones can face legal obstacles trying to help. That’s where Powers of Attorney come in. These documents let you choose someone you trust to step in and make decisions for you if needed. At Simpson Law, we make the process as simple and straightforward as possible, so you can feel confident that everything is in place.

“We never expected the stroke. Having Powers of Attorney already in place made all the difference.”
— Quote Source

What Happens Without Powers of Attorney?

Without a valid Durable Power of Attorney for Finances or Healthcare Power of Attorney, your loved ones may be left with no legal authority to:

  • Access your bank accounts

  • Pay your bills

  • Make medical decisions on your behalf

  • Talk to your doctors or insurance providers

In many cases, they’ll be forced to go through a stressful and expensive court guardianship process, just to step in and help.

The Solution: Powers of Attorney

Powers of Attorney are simple but powerful legal tools. They allow you to choose someone you trust to step into your shoes if you ever become unable to make decisions on your own.

At Simpson Law Firm, we ensure your POAs are:

  • Clearly written and legally enforceable

  • Tailored to your specific wishes and comfort level

  • Designed to work seamlessly with the rest of your estate plan

Young Adult Powers of Attorney

When your child turns 18, you no longer have the legal right to access their medical records, speak to their doctors, or make financial decisions on their behalf—even in an emergency. If your child is in an accident, becomes seriously ill, or is temporarily incapacitated, you could be left powerless to help without going through the court system. That’s why every young adult should have both a Healthcare Power of Attorney and a Durable Financial Power of Attorney in place. These documents allow a trusted parent or adult to step in quickly when needed, offering peace of mind during life’s most unpredictable moments.

Two Essential Documents Every Young Adult Needs:

1 - Healthcare Power of Attorney

Allows your child to name someone (typically a parent or trusted adult) to make medical decisions and access health records if they’re unable to do so themselves.

2 - Durable Financial Power of Attorney

Gives someone authority to manage finances, pay bills, sign documents, or handle emergencies if your child is incapacitated or away for an extended period (like studying abroad).

 
 

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The best time to plan for incapacity is before it happens. Whether you’re 28 or 88, having Powers of Attorney in place gives you control—and gives your loved ones peace of mind. Let us help you safeguard your future with a well-drafted plan that works when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our comprehensive estate planning services.