Setting up a Power of Attorney for a parent is not a difficult procedure, but when your parent is sick, other factors come into play. In this section, we will look at powers of attorney and how authority can be given when a parent becomes disabled.
What you’ll discover:
When a parent becomes sick, it can be a trying time. If your parent’s situation is fatal or will render them psychologically disabled or otherwise unable to voice their desires, they may want to give you the authority to make critical medical and money choices on their behalf. If your parent is already psychologically disabled, having them execute a Power of Attorney granting you this power can be complicated. We’ll walk you through the steps.
Consider the type of Power of Attorney (POA) that will be needed as you consider the kinds of assistance your sick parent will require. For example, if your parent requires you to handle their bank accounts, you may require a POA that expressly gives power over money issues. As you might expect, a Power of Attorney for Finances grants you the authority to make money decisions on your parent’s behalf, whereas a Healthcare Power of Attorney grants you the authority to make medical choices on their behalf.
You can obtain Power of Attorney for an ill relative in three methods. These are some examples:
If your parent is already disabled and there is no Living Will or Power of Attorney in effect, you should seek legal advice as soon as feasible. When significant financial or medical choices must be made, but your loved one did not give anybody the power to make those decisions on their behalf, things may get tricky.