Power Of Attorney Lawyer For The Villages

It’s never easy to imagine a time when you may be unable to make your own financial decisions. However, if you become incapacitated, it’s essential to have someone you trust ready to act in your best interest. A Power of Attorney (POA) allows you to appoint an agent to handle financial matters on your behalf, ensuring that your affairs are managed responsibly and in alignment with your wishes.

At Marshall Law, we help clients throughout The Villages, Wildwood, and surrounding Central Florida areas prepare durable and effective POA documents as part of their estate planning strategy. Selecting an agent is a significant decision. Our team is here to provide guidance with care and clarity, ensuring that your Power of Attorney aligns with your values and protects your future. Get in touch with us today.

Introduction to Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a vital legal document that authorizes another person—your agent—to act on your behalf. This person may handle financial transactions, pay bills, make health care decisions, or manage business matters, depending on the scope of authority granted. A POA is a foundational component of a comprehensive estate plan, and it’s important to work with a law firm experienced in Florida law to ensure the document is valid, tailored to your needs, and enforceable.

Types of Power of Attorney

There are several types of POAs, each designed for different needs.

Durable Power of Attorney – Remains valid even if you become incapacitated, making it the most commonly used type in estate planning.

General Power of Attorney – Grants broad authority over financial matters but becomes invalid if you become incapacitated unless it is made durable.

Limited Power of Attorney – Authorizes an agent to act on your behalf for a specific task or period. It ends once the purpose is complete or the expiration date passes.

In Florida, a Power of Attorney becomes effective immediately upon signing—it cannot be “springing” or delayed by future events. Additionally, specific powers (such as gifting or changing beneficiaries) must be clearly stated and individually initiated to be valid.

Estate Planning with a Qualified Lawyer

Working with an experienced estate planning law firm ensures your legal documents are thorough, compliant, and suited to your needs. At Marshall Law, we offer estate planning services that include Powers of Attorney, wills, trusts, guardianship planning, and more. We take a holistic approach, tailoring each plan to reflect our clients’ goals, values, and family circumstances. Our team is well-versed in Florida law and can help ensure your plan meets legal requirements while protecting your loved ones and assets.

Protecting Your Future Financial Decisions

A Power of Attorney can be prepared to address your specific circumstances and needs. An agent can make certain decisions on your behalf, including financial and personal matters. An agent may also have the authority to run the principal’s business. The differences between them can be confusing, so it is vital you speak with an experienced estate planning attorney before making such an important decision. The responsibilities of the agent include managing health, legal, and financial duties when the principal is incapacitated.

There are different types of Powers Of Attorney documents in Florida depending on your needs, including:

• General power of attorney: This gives your agent authority over almost every area of your finances, including, but not limited to, banking, investment decisions, handling your taxes, and applying for government benefits.
• Durable power of attorney: A General Power of Attorney becomes invalid when you become incompetent. Nonetheless, a General Power of Attorney can be made “Durable” so it remains valid even after you become incompetent.
• Limited power of attorney: This arrangement is used to give an agent authority for a specific purpose and/or for a limited period of time. The agent’s authority terminates when the time limit expires or the purpose is complete. To establish a Power of Attorney in Florida, it is important to understand state laws and ensure the document is notarized and witnessed.

When moving from another state to Florida, keep in mind Florida’s Power of Attorney laws are very different. Under Florida law, a Power of Attorney is effective immediately upon signing and cannot be delayed until a later date or occurrence. In addition, there are certain powers or actions your agent cannot take unless the Power of Attorney contains specific language and you have specifically initialed that power.

When deciding on an agent for your Power Of Attorney, it is vital you carefully consider who should be appointed as your agent; having a succession of agents available to serve one after the other should be done in case the agent you have appointed become incapacitated themselves. The people you appoint should be people you trust and who are financially responsible, are 18 years of age or older, and understand your wishes and goals.

Role of Attorney Lawyers

Working with a qualified law firm ensures that your POA is drafted correctly, reducing the risk of confusion or legal challenges later. At Marshall Law, we provide comprehensive estate planning services, including representation in probate matters and guidance in trust administration. We take time to explain your options and make sure your documents are clear, enforceable, and aligned with your broader estate plan.

Health Care Considerations in Power of Attorney Planning

While most Powers of Attorney focus on financial matters, Florida also allows individuals to appoint a separate health care surrogate to make medical decisions if they become incapacitated. Our firm can help you draft both a POA and health care directives to ensure all aspects of your well-being are protected. This includes guidance on how to legally express your treatment preferences and ensure your directives are honored.

The Legal Guidance And Support You Need

Without a valid Power of Attorney, your family may be forced to go through guardianship proceedings to manage your affairs—a costly and time-consuming process. Having a durable POA in place helps you avoid court intervention and ensures a seamless transition of authority. The lawyers at Marshall Law are here to prepare these documents with precision and care, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Working with Marshall Law, P.A.

Marshall Law has built a strong reputation in The Villages and Wildwood for providing thoughtful, effective estate planning services. Whether you need to create a POA, establish a trust, or update your estate documents, we are here to help. Our goal is to provide trusted legal guidance that reflects your wishes and secures your legacy.