Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney are very powerful documents granting your "agent" or "attorney-in-fact" with all sorts of powers over your financial affairs and are part of every estate plan.  You can require proof of your incapacity before the power of attorney becomes effective.  Powers of attorney tend to be cumbersome documents to use.  If it is your intention to use your power of attorney as a tool in your incapacity planning, I recommend getting that set up with each financial institution now so there are no additional delays or stressors when the power of attorney is really needed.  After death, powers of attorney are no longer effective.