Can I Have More than One Power of Attorney?

When you designate someone as the agent of your power of attorney, you ask them to take on a heavy burden of responsibility on your behalf. You may feel guilty or uncomfortable with dumping this all on a single person, even if they express their willingness and ability to do so. If so, you may consider naming multiple agents for multiple powers of attorney. Without further ado, please continue reading to learn whether you are allowed to appoint more than one power of attorney and how one of the experienced Butler County powers of attorney lawyers at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC can help you reach a sound decision.

Can I have more than one agent for the power of attorney in my estate plan?

Simply put, yes, you may name multiple agents to act on your behalf for a single power of attorney. However, it is generally advisable not to go down this route. This is because with multiple agents in charge, there is a likelihood for conflicts of interest. Instead, it is sooner recommended to appoint a primary agent and then a successor agent to step in should the original person be unwilling or unable to fulfill their duties any further. Commonly, a grantor may assign their spouse as their primary agent and then their children as their successor agents.

What are the different powers of attorney I must establish?

You must also understand that there are different powers of attorney you should incorporate into your estate plan. With this, it is in your best interest to name a separate agent for each one. This is because you may spread out the burden of responsibility instead of having it all fall on the shoulders of a single person. Also, different people may have different expertise that apply to varying powers of attorney.

For example, there is the financial power of attorney, which is a legal document that gives a third party the authority to manage your finances on your behalf. If your spouse was the one who primarily handled your money matters throughout your marriage, it may make sense to appoint them as the agent here. On the other hand, there is the healthcare power of attorney, which authorizes a third party to make medical decisions if you are ever unable to do so yourself. Well, if you have a child that works in the medical field, you may feel most comfortable leaving this power exclusively to them.

All of this to say, if you need legal representation fast, one of the skilled Butler County estate planning & probate attorneys is prepared to step up. The team at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC looks forward to meeting you, working with you, and helping you.