Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyer

Baton Rouge Power of Attorney

Part of the estate planning process involves preparing for contingencies. Life throws all kinds of curveballs at us, and while it’s not necessary to dwell on the what-ifs, it is necessary to have some basic protections in place. One of those protections is a general (financial) power of attorney.

At Field Law in Baton Rouge, we can help you put a thorough estate plan into place – including a carefully tailored power of attorney (called a mandate in Louisiana). Our attorney, Morgan Field, focuses solely on estate law and related areas. We know the laws and how they apply here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Understanding Durable General Mandates

In Louisiana, a durable general mandate gives someone else the legal authority to make financial and property decisions on your behalf. You can structure that authority however you like. It can encompass your entire estate – that is, your property and financial affairs – or just part of it. You can appoint a spouse, adult child, trusted friend or family member, or other chosen representative.

Because it’s durable, this type of mandate will go into effect if or when you ever become legally incapacitated (unable to make decisions for yourself) as a result of an accident, illness or aging. You should also have a similar document for health care decisions in place.

The Benefit Of A General Mandate Or Power Of Attorney

The advantage of a power of attorney (durable general mandate) is that it will spare your loved ones the headaches and expense of having to go to court in the event of your incapacity. Without this key document in place, they would have to pursue formal interdiction proceedings, which are costly, time-consuming and a matter of public record. A well-crafted durable general mandate gives them immediate authority to act on your behalf, within the framework you determine.

FAQs

Q. Why Do I Need A Power Of Attorney In Baton Rouge?

A POA is essential to ensure that your personal, financial, and medical matters are handled by someone you trust in case you become unable to make decisions due to illness, injury, or other circumstances. Without a POA, your loved ones may face delays and legal challenges to gain the authority to act on your behalf.

Q. Who Should I Appoint As My Power Of Attorney?

The agent you appoint should be someone you trust completely, as they will have significant authority over your affairs. Consider their reliability, ability to act in your best interests, and capacity to handle complex decisions.

Q.  Does A Power Of Attorney Need To Be Notarized In Louisiana?

Yes, Louisiana law requires a Power of Attorney to be notarized to be legally valid. It is also recommended to have two witnesses present during the signing to avoid any disputes about the document’s authenticity.

Q. What Happens If I Don’t Have A Power Of Attorney?

If you become incapacitated without a Power of Attorney in place, the court may appoint a guardian or conservator to manage your affairs. This process can be time-consuming, costly, and may result in someone you wouldn’t have chosen making decisions on your behalf.

Q. How can a Baton Rouge attorney help with a power of attorney?

An experienced Baton Rouge attorney can:

• Draft a Power of Attorney tailored to your specific needs.
• Ensure compliance with Louisiana laws.
• Help you understand the scope of authority granted to your agent.
• Provide guidance on choosing the right type of Power of Attorney for your circumstances.
• Assist with revoking or updating an existing Power of Attorney.

Get Started With This Critical Component Of Effectuating Your Wishes

Whether you need a power of attorney (mandate) as part of your estate plan, or you need to give someone else authority to manage your affairs for a discrete purpose or time period, we can help. Please reach out to us online or call 225-341-5270 to get started.

We offer free initial consultations. Serving those in Louisiana and also assisting out-of-state family members.