What is a power of attorney (POA) and how does it work?

Quick Answer:

A Power of Attorney gives someone legal authority to make decisions for you if you’re unable to — whether that’s financial, legal, or medical.

Full Explanation

Types of POA

• General POA: Broad financial/legal powers
• Durable POA: Continues if you become incapacitated
• Medical POA: Covers healthcare decisions
• Limited POA: For specific situations (e.g., signing a real estate deal)

Why You Might Need One

• You’re traveling and need someone to sign documents
• You want a trusted person to act for you in a crisis
• You want someone to make medical choices if you can’t

How to Set It Up

You must:

1. Choose a trusted individual (your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”)
2. Sign the document with witnesses and/or a notary
3. Store it securely (like in your Vault)

HooValu Tip

HooValu lets you store your POA documents and control who can view or use them.

Next Steps / Related Articles

• [How to choose the right person for POA]
• [What decisions can a POA make?]
• [Can I revoke or change my POA?]

Tags: power of attorney, medical decisions, legal documents, incapacity