Power of Attorney or POA
Southwest Louisville Power of Attorney or POA, Living Will and Healthcare Directive Lawyer
What is a Power of Attorney (POA) and why is this an important document for all of us here in Southwest Louisville? Basically, a Power of Attorney is a legal document which names a person you trust to act or make decisions in your place if you are unable to do so for specified reasons. For example, when a person has a stroke or a serious health issue they may not have the current awareness or oven be awake when important medical or legal decisions need to be made. A POA allows you to pick someone you trust and give them the legal authority to speak on your behalf when you are not able to yourself.
The State of Kentucky continues to change and improve this legal process and associated documentation. The legislature recently (July of 2020) implemented substantial changes to Kentucky law regarding Power of Attorney. Therefore, if you have an existing POA it may be necessary to review it to make sure it is fully enforceable and compliant with current Kentucky Law.
This new gives you two ways to pass authority to the person with whom you entrust a Power of Attorney: an express grant of authority or a general grant of authority. A general grant of authority provides great flexibility for the person you trust to address any issue as your legal agent. An express grant of authority allows you to limit specific decisions to a specific person. For example, you may have one loved one who is especially gifted and trustworthy when it comes to financial matters. However, there may be a different person who is more informed or prepared to make important healthcare-related decisions on your behalf.
My name is Scott Scheynost and I have more than 25 years of experience providing sound advice and counsel on these matters, and drafting a Power of Attorney or POA or other legal documents you require. I invite you to contact my office or call to speak with me personally at (502) 937-5287.
Hear Scott had to say about the importance of a Power of Attorney on one of his recent podcasts:
Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
Advance Healthcare Directives and living wills are legal documents which allow you to establish the type of health care and treatments you are to receive if you are not able to make decisions for some reason in that moment. You may have become incapacitated by a sudden illness or serious injury. You may be unconscious, or you may simply not be able to speak or understand what is happening around you. How do you make sure the healthcare providers make the right decisions based upon your own wishes?
This is why you need a living will and advance healthcare directives. These important legal documents either communicate with legal strength your wishes regarding the treatment the doctors may or may not provide and your wishes regarding what to do if there seems to be no hope for recovery. Should the healthcare providers provide life-extending medical care? Do you wish to be kept alive? If you do not wish for the doctors to use “heroic” or advanced medical technology to preserve or extend your life you may wish to consider a Do Not Resuscitate or DNR. Are you an organ donor? Do you have any issues with medication or any principles based upon your beliefs or religious practices which should guide healthcare decisions in your case?
Advance healthcare directives provide this type of information in advance, so that if something is happening your medical team knows your wishes and when to take actions to save or preserve your life. These important legal documents also allow you to specify a personal representative or provide the Power of Attorney (POA) to speak on your behalf and make important healthcare related decisions.
I have more than 25 years of experience providing sound advice and counsel on these matters, and drafting a Living Will, Advance Healthcare Directives or other legal documents you require. I invite you to contact my office or call to speak with me personally at (502) 937-5287.
Hear Scott’s perspective on Healthcare Directives from a recent podcast: