What Is Power Of Attorney | When Is Power Of Attorney Needed

March 18, 2026 | Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP | Power of Attorney

A power of attorney allows someone you trust to handle:

Financial matters

Banking

Bills

Taxes

When do people need a power of attorney?

Usually when there is:

Illness

Injury

Cognitive decline

Without it, families may need court approval to act — even spouses.

This is especially common for adult children helping parents in Boston, Framingham, Brookline, and Eastern Massachusetts.

If you have questions or would like help setting up a power of attorney, we’re happy to help. Give us a call at 508-202-1818.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

About Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP is the CEO and Founding Partner of O'Connell Law, an estate planning and elder law firm serving clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. She is one of a select group of attorneys in Massachusetts certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Tiffany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, Alzheimer's planning, charitable planning, and retirement and wealth strategies. She has been helping families plan for their futures since opening her practice in 2010.

Credentials: JD, LLM, CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney — National Elder Law Foundation), AEP (Accredited Estate Planner)

Licensed in: Massachusetts

Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Alzheimer's Planning, Asset Protection

View all posts by Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP →

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.