When Should I Use a Limited Power of Attorney?

A limited power of attorney can be used for a number of different situations in which you are unable to be present or take action for an event. There are a couple of different examples when a limited power of attorney in Massachusetts could be useful.

The first of these is if you become physically disabled and are unable to take care of administrative or financial arrangements on your own. You may choose to give someone a limited power of attorney if you are out of town on a particular day and need someone to sign an important contract on your behalf. In the event that you own property in another state, this is another common reason why you may wish to use a limited power of attorney.

That person may be eligible to sell a property for you since you do not reside in the area. You may also grant someone the power to handle all of your financial transactions while you are away on vacation.

There are many different circumstances, as you can see, where you might be unable to do something for yourself and when the services of an experienced power of attorney agent could become helpful. It’s important to think carefully about whether or not you have thought through the process of deciding who would be an appropriate power of attorney agent.

The support of a lawyer can help you navigate this process and to select someone who would be appropriate. You’ll need to think carefully about whether a limited power of attorney rather than a general power of attorney would be most appropriate for your needs.

A limited power of attorney, as specified above, limits them to specific types of transactions or to a specific period of time. To discuss all the potential instances in which a general power of attorney may be more helpful, set aside time to speak with a lawyer.

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.