Powers of Attorney
Choose a trusted person to make financial decisions on your behalf when necessary.
Who can help manage financial matters?
A financial power of attorney lets you name someone you trust to manage financial matters on your behalf if you’re unable to: paying bills, managing accounts, or handling property, depending on how it’s set up.
Choosing an agent
The person you name, often called your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact,” is a decision worth thinking through carefully: who you trust, how broad their authority should be, and who should serve if your first choice is unable to.
A separate document from health-care planning
A financial power of attorney addresses financial decisions only. Naming someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, and documenting your own treatment wishes, is handled through separate planning. See Health-Care Planning for more on that part of a plan.
Ready to learn more about estate planning? Estate Planning
Decide who can act for you.
Start with a few questions about your situation.
