Power of Attorney

Chicago Power of Attorney Lawyer

When reviewing your estate and planning for your future, it may be beneficial to designate a person who can make decisions for you and protect your interests. This is called giving someone the "power of attorney." At Zapolis & Associates, P.C., attorney Robert Zapolis has been assisting individuals and families in establishing powers of attorney and other estate designations since 1980. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss the possibility of establishing a power of attorney.

The power of attorney is a binding document that gives someone else, usually a family member or trusted friend, legal authority over a person. This allows the person with power of attorney to sign documents and make decisions on behalf of the individual. Though no power or rights are taken away from the individual, rights are given to the person with power of attorney to act as the individual in any type of situation.

Powers of attorney may be specific and limited or may be broad and contain sweeping authority. A general power of attorney may give someone the authority to handle all aspects of an individual's affairs. Specific powers of attorney only allow the designated person authority in a limited area of a person's affairs, such as power of attorney to sell a specific piece of property or control some bank accounts or investments. There are also durable powers of attorney, whose use can be explained in our office.

Power of Attorney for Health Care

When someone is granted power of attorney for health care (also sometimes called medical power of attorney), they have authority to make health care-related decisions for you in the event you cannot make them for yourself. It is also possible to put in place a health care directive that is to be followed by the person making your decisions. However, to ensure you are protected in the event that you do not have a health care directive, it is useful to person authorized to make decisions on your behalf.

Contact a lawyer at Zapolis & Associates today to further discuss your power of attorney issues or other estate planning matters, such as wills. During an initial consultation, our attorneys will examine your situation and explain how creating a power of attorney may be in your interests or the interests of a loved one.