Power of Attorney Lawyer in Northeast Georgia

A power of attorney is not just an elder law document. Accidents, illness, and incapacity can affect anyone at any age. Without a durable power of attorney, your family may have to petition the probate court for a conservatorship to manage your affairs, a process that is slow, expensive, and public.

Durable Financial Power of Attorney

Under Georgia's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-1 et seq.), a durable financial power of attorney allows your named agent to manage bank accounts, pay bills, handle real estate transactions, manage investments, and conduct virtually any financial activity on your behalf. "Durable" means it remains effective even if you become incapacitated.

What to Include and What to Limit

Not all powers of attorney are equal. Broad, general powers can expose you to abuse by a dishonest agent. We give your agent enough authority to manage your affairs while building in safeguards, particularly around gifts and self-dealing.

When It Takes Effect

A power of attorney can be effective immediately upon signing (useful if you travel frequently or have health concerns) or "springing," taking effect only if you become incapacitated, as determined by a physician or another person you name in the document. Each approach has practical tradeoffs that we will discuss with you.