How to Choose Your Power of Attorney (Without Overthinking It)
- highsierralegal
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
Picking someone to be your Power of Attorney is a big deal. This is the person who could step in and manage your finances, healthcare, or legal matters if you’re ever unable to do so yourself. No pressure, right?
If you’re unsure where to start, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most important choices in your estate plan, and we’re here to make it a whole lot easier.
First, What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (or POA for short) is the person you legally appoint to act on your behalf. They step into your shoes to act as your agent. There are two types:
Medical POA – handles healthcare decisions if you can’t speak for yourself
Financial POA – manages your money, bills, property, and legal matters
They don’t get power over your life just because you name them. Their authority only kicks in under the circumstances outlined in your plan—usually if you’re incapacitated.
Who Should You Choose?
This is where things can get tricky. It’s common to feel a little stuck, especially when balancing family dynamics, geography, and different personalities. Here are a few key things to consider when choosing your POA:
Trust is everything. Your POA should be someone you know will follow your wishes—not what they think is best.Leave money out of it. Ideally, your POA shouldn’t have a financial interest in your estate. That helps avoid conflicts and keeps things clean.
Proximity helps. While not essential, it can be helpful if your POA lives nearby, especially for medical emergencies.
Good communication is a must. You want someone who can be clear, assertive, and calm under pressure—especially when dealing with doctors or financial institutions.
Still unsure? Talk to the person you’re considering. Lay out what the role involves, and see how they feel about it. A little honesty upfront can save a lot of trouble later.
Not Sure How the Financial & Medical POA Works?
We’ve got you. We walk through it in plain English on our YouTube channel—no legal jargon, no fluff. Just the essentials of how a financial POA works and what to expect.
What Comes Next?
Once you’ve decided on your POA, the rest of your estate plan starts to take shape. Most people begin by getting their revocable living trust in place. From there, you’ll name your trustees, POAs, beneficiaries, and get everything documented.
When Should You Do This?
Yesterday. Or today. But definitely not someday. And not when you are unable to due to incapacity or illness.
Estate planning is about protecting your people and giving them a clear plan when they need it most. Waiting until something happens only adds stress, paperwork, and often legal headaches to a tough situation.
Starting now means you’re making smart, loving choices while you still can. And your future self (and your family) will thank you for it.
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