Most think of a power of attorney as a late in life tool that is part of estate planning.  While this is the reason that most have a power of attorney in place, many are missing some of the advantages that make a power of attorney a must for everyone no matter what stage of life they are in.  Here are just a few reasons to use a power of attorney:

1.  To decide in advance to appoint a person to make decisions on your behalf in the event that you become unable to make decisions for yourself.

2.  A power of attorney can be limited or expanded upon depending on the reason for the power of attorney.  This could include business, financial, real estate, insurance, investment, pension, or any other decision that is listed in the power of attorney.

3.  Can do away with a guardian or conservator being appointed by the court system.

4.  A healthcare power of attorney allows the appointed to make decisions on where care will take place, what care will be allowed, who takes care of the patient, what the patient eats, and all other medical decisions.

5.  If a client travels a lot or works a great deal and doesn’t easily have a way to take off work to complete mundane tasks and they have a spouse or someone they trust that has a much more forgiving schedule, they could make them their power of attorney limiting what decisions they could make.  This certainly wouldn’t work for everyone, but for those jet setters that have a spouse at home it can make things a bit simpler.

6.  Active military can use a power of attorney in the same way granting power of attorney to a trusted family member that can make decisions, get billing information, pay bills, or even complete everything needed for when their loved one comes home.