Personal Reasons to Consider Power of Attorney

 Posted on April 13, 2025 in Estate Planning and Probate

 Few people, if anyone, want to imagine becoming incapacitated. When you reach a point where you are unable to make decisions for yourself, it may be necessary to appoint someone to carry out your wishes. In Texas, a power of attorney (POA) document can name someone who you want to put in charge of handling your medical or financial affairs when you are not able to. A Bexar County, TX estate planning lawyer can help you draft this document for your peace of mind.

Estate planning is certainly a sensitive subject for many. You may have your own personal reasons for wanting to set up a POA that you do not need to share with anyone. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we are here to help carry out your wishes and enforce them legally.

Family History of Illness

If you are genetically predisposed to a family illness, it may be prudent to write a power of attorney. For instance, if disabling conditions like stroke or Alzheimer’s disease run in your family, you might decide to make preparations ahead of time.

If you become incapacitated, the person you give your power of attorney to could make arrangements for your long-term care. Medical POAs are often drafted alongside a document called a living will, which states your preferences for certain treatments. Inheriting a genetic illness is not always a guarantee, so you may end up never needing a medical power of attorney. However, planning for the "what if" can give you an invaluable sense of security.

Religious Beliefs

Plenty of religions have specific doctrines about end-of-life care and life-sustaining treatments. If you belong to a particular faith, this could influence how you want to be treated on your deathbed. For instance, if you have strong feelings about wanting to be kept alive as long as possible, you could name someone you trust to advocate for that to happen. If your faith dictates that extreme measures should not be taken to prolong your life, you can appoint someone who will make sure that your wishes are respected.

Choosing the right person to give your power of attorney can be hard. Regardless of that individual’s beliefs, however, anyone named in your POA has the obligation to respect your wishes.

Fears of Exploitation

It is an unfortunate fact of life that some people will try to take advantage of incapacitated individuals. In many cases, a bad actor will try to get close to someone who is incapacitated to get access to his or her assets. The purpose of a financial power of attorney is to prevent this sort of thing from happening by giving control over the incapacitated person’s estate to a trusted individual.

The person appointed in your financial POA has a fiduciary duty to you. This means that he or she must handle your assets solely for your own benefit. These duties can include managing your bank account and investments, filing your taxes, or paying off your debts.

Contact a San Antonio, TX Estate Planning Attorney Today

If you want to draft a power of attorney but have no idea where to begin, an attorney can be a great help. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, our Bexar County, TX power of attorney lawyer is here to allay your concerns and help you choose the right people to handle your affairs. Call us at 210-535-0870 to schedule a free consultation today.