Health Care and Financial Power of Attorney Preparation and Abuse 

A Florida Power of Attorney is a legal document that transfers authority from one person to another.  The document grants that person the right to act in some way on behalf of the maker of the Power of Attorney.  The nature of the authority granted by a Power of Attorney can be broad or limited to very specific acts. In Florida, there are two types of Powers of Attorney’s that we recommend for all of our estate plan clients. There is the Florida Medical Power of Attorney and a Florida Power of Attorney for financial matters.   

Examples of the uses of the Florida Power of Attorney:

• Give another the right to sell a car, house, or personal property in place of the Power of Attorney Maker;
• Allow another person to sign a contract for the maker of the Power of Attorney;
• Grant another person authority to make decisions involving healthcare, financial transactions and the signing of legal documents;
• Grant another person the right to obtain medical records.

One source of litigation surrounding these documents relates to abuse.  Abuse of a Power of Attorney can include:

• fraud
• self dealing
• embezzlement
• unlawful gifting
• depletion of an estate
• changing beneficiary designations on life insurance or annuities
• opening bank accounts with joint title or pay on death provisions in favor of the agent. 

Like most Florida estate plan documents, a Power of Attorney is a complicated legal document and there are many issues with their preparation and use.  The good news is, that most experienced Florida attorneys will not charge more than $250.00 for the preparation of a basic power of attorney.  However, prices may vary depending on the level of complication for a particular matter.

If you are considering a Power of Attorney as a part of your estate plan, it is advisable to contact an experienced Florida estate planning attorney. If you would like to find out more information about a Florida power of attorney, please contact Larry Tolchinsky today for a free consultation.

Larry prepares powers of attorney for clients located in Hallandale, Hollywood, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Davie, North Miami Beach, Dania Beach and all other cities in Miami-Dade and Broward County.

Contact Larry Tolchinsky, an Experienced Hallandale Florida Estate Plan Attorney, for a Free Consultation.

Contact Larry to find out how he can help you. You can contact him by phone at 954-458-8655 or by e-mail through this web site to schedule an appointment and learn more about a Florida Power of Attorney.

To learn more about Larry Tolchinsky, click on this link:  Hallandale Florida Estate Planning Attorney