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Wendell’s document for financial power of attorney did name someone to make his financial decisions (his “Agent”).  It was also a “durable” financial power of attorney, which means it would remain effective even if he later become incapacitated. Wendell even made sure he initialed all of the powers listed in the power of attorney in order to give his Agent plenty of authority to help manage his affairs and maintain his farming operation.

What Wendell didn’t realize is forms for financial power of attorney that are found online typically don’t contain sophisticated or unique provisions that may be necessary to truly give an Agent the power to properly manage a farm or protect assets. The standard power of attorney form may not fully authorize an Agent to care for a person or carry out that person’s overall estate plan.

For example, Wendell is concerned about paying for his long-term care, such as a nursing home, but his standard financial power of attorney lacks provisions that would allow his Agent to apply for medical assistance, create trusts to protect the farm or other assets, enter into contracts for his care, or authorize the Agent to make large gifts that are often necessary when dealing with nursing home planning.  All of those provisions are vital when trying to preserve and protect assets like Wendell’s farm.

When Wendell eventually went into a nursing home, his Agent realized that medical assistance planning would be necessary to slow the drain on Wendell’s assets the monthly nursing home bill was creating.  But Wendell’s Agent was surprised to learn that the standard power of attorney Wendell found online was not up to the task. The Agent was unable to carry out many of the steps needed to provide options for Wendell’s care.  Ultimately, the Agent had to find other legal avenues to help Wendell (such as guardianship), which resulted in additional legal fees that could have been avoided with an adequate financial power of attorney.  In addition, the delay in obtaining medical assistance for Wendell resulted in Wendell continuing to fully pay for several additional months of his nursing home care, which also could have been avoided with an adequate financial power of attorney.

Take the time Wendell didn’t.  Be sure to have an adequate financial power of attorney document as part of your well-crafted estate plan. Consult with an experienced estate planning attorney to ensure an Agent will have all of the tools needed to help you when needed.

© 2022 Agri-View. Madison, WI.  Reprinted with permission.