SUNBURY – For adults, it’s never too early to have a “power of attorney” document drawn up. So says Attorney Ken Potter, partner at Rudnitsky, Hackman and Potter Law Group, who was a guest on WKOK Sunrise talking about the power of attorney document.
Potter said, “There are two types. There is the financial power of attorney and the health care power of attorney. A lot of people think about only the financial, but there is the health care component. They can be in one document or two separate documents, if you want two separate people to handle those affairs for you. It’s the go-to documents when something happens to a spouse and you need to make decisions and step into those shoes, either financially, or making health care decisions.”
Potter says power of attorney doesn’t have to be a spouse, but could be a child or a friend. Potter explains when a power of attorney is needed, “Typically when you are unable, either mentally or physically. If someone has dementia, or they are in a coma. I had a spouse say to me, ‘Well I’m a spouse. These are joint accounts. I don’t need a power of attorney.’ Well, it’s true to a degree. However you are not going to be able to sign your husband’s or your wife’s signature on a legal document if you are not an agent under power of attorney.” Some examples include tax documents or if you need to sell the house.
You can hear more from Potter on power of attorney and also retirement, living wills and long term care on WKOK Sunrise, online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)
