By Sr. Laura Goedken, OP
Have you thought about having a power of attorney? Has a family member asked you to give power of attorney to someone? Do you wonder what this means?
A power of attorney is a legal instrument used to delegate legal authority to another. This delegation could be short-term or durable. It could be authority for health care or financial matters or both.
A short-term power of attorney might be used if you are going on an extended trip or enlisting in the armed forces. Durable power of attorney means this lasts a lifetime unless you make it null and void. However, it is a good idea to update your durable power of attorney every couple years even if you only change the date and sign it again.
A power of attorney entrusts another to make the decisions about your health care or financial matters or both, just as you would if you were able. You will want to select someone to be your agent who knows what you want in these matters. You will want to communicate well and often with this person. An estate planning attorney can create this legal instrument for you.
To obtain more information, feel free to contact Sister Laura Goedken at the Diocese of Davenport, (563) 324-1911 or Goedken@davenportdiocese.org.
