Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney appoints another person to act as an attorney-in-fact for financial and other personal affairs as identified in the document. The person serving need not be an attorney so, to that extent, it is a misnomer. The powers of the person acting on your behalf must be set forth specifically in the document. Powers should be broad enough to include gifting (in case long term care becomes necessary in the future). In addition, since banks, stock brokerages and other financial institutions have their own internal considerations that sometimes make use of a Durable Power of Attorney difficult, effort should be made to assure their practical usefulness through contact and approval by these entities while the grantor of the Durable Power of Attorney (who is you) still are able to participate.