Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyer

Life can change in an instant, and without the proper legal plans in place, you can easily lose control of what’s important to you. In the case that you become incapacitated or unable to make important decisions for yourself, having documentation that assigns a power of attorney on your behalf is critical. A Baton Rouge power of attorney lawyer can help you designate a power of attorney to someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf.

Dedicated Baton Rouge Power of Attorney Lawyers

Whether you’re in the middle of creating an estate plan or you’d like to assign a power of attorney out of caution, an experienced Baton Rouge power of attorney lawyer can help you do so legally. At The Baringer Law Firm, L.L.C., our skilled team shares more than 75 years of combined legal experience. We’ve helped countless Baton Rouge residents navigate power of attorney designations and can help you create a plan that makes you feel confident.

Understanding Power of Attorney in Baton Rouge

In Louisiana, a power of attorney (POA) gives someone the legal right to act for another. The person given the legal authority to act on another person’s behalf is called the agent, while the person giving the agent that authority is known as the principal.

As of 2024, Baton Rouge has an estimated population of 220,907. Additionally, over 14% of residents are 65 and older. Many of these residents already have estate plans in place that outline a power of attorney in case they become incapacitated.

When you have a power of attorney assigned in Louisiana, you can trust that someone you can count on is handling your affairs if you ever can’t on your own. Agents given power of attorney in Baton Rouge can make important decisions involving your finances, medical decisions, or assets. A Baton Rouge estate planning lawyer can help you better understand how to create a power of attorney plan that’s right for you.

Different Power of Attorney in Baton Rouge

Each type of power of attorney serves a different role in Louisiana. The following are the most common forms and what their purposes are:

• General power of attorney. General POA grants the broadest permissions and allows the agent to perform a variety of important financial and legal decisions. It’s often used in temporary absences and by business owners.
• Limited power of attorney. A limited POA only allows action in a specific area. For example, a limited POA can give an agent the right to handle the finances of one specific account, but not all of them.
• Durable power of attorney. This stays active even if the principal becomes incapacitated, unlike other forms of POA that end once this happens. A durable POA is essential in a Baton Rouge estate plan.
• Medical power of attorney. A medical POA lets the agent make healthcare decisions on the principal’s behalf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is extremely helpful if the principal cannot clearly express their needs.

Choosing the Right Agent for POA in Baton Rouge

Selecting an agent can be the most daunting part of creating a power of attorney, as you are giving someone the power to make important decisions in your life. It’s crucial that you choose an agent that you can not only trust but also one who is knowledgeable and can make the decisions you would want made. You should keep the following details in mind when choosing an agent:

• How far away the individual lives
• Whether the individual knows your unique wants, needs, and interests
• If the individual is capable of handling the responsibilities you’re assigning them

Why Choose The Baringer Law Firm, L.L.C.?

When it comes to assigning power of attorney in Baton Rouge, it’s crucial that you work with an attorney who can help you make sure you’re making the right decisions and creating documentation legally. It can be easy to make mistakes in paperwork, miss filing deadlines, or even assign the wrong type of POA without an experienced lawyer by your side.

At The Baringer Law Firm, L.L.C., our attorneys have spent their careers helping residents of Baton Rouge create estate plans and POAs that help them feel confident and comfortable. We focus on creating long-term solutions and centering our clients’ needs in everything we do.

FAQs

Q: What Types of Power of Attorney Are Available in Louisiana?

A: There are a variety of forms of power of attorney in Louisiana. These include general POA, medical POA, durable POA, limited POA, and more. To find out which power of attorney is right for your estate plan, you should discuss your needs with a skilled Baton Rouge power of attorney lawyer.

Q: What Makes a Power of Attorney Legally Valid in Baton Rouge?

A: In order for a POA to be recognized as legally valid in Baton Rouge, it must be detailed in a written agreement. The agreement must be signed by the principal as well as additional witnesses. If there is any ambiguity, disputes can easily arise, which makes crafting your POA documentation with an experienced lawyer crucial.

Q: How Much Do Power of Attorney Lawyers Cost in Baton Rouge?

A: The amount you end up spending on a Baton Rouge power of attorney lawyer depends on a variety of details. These details include the amount of experience your lawyer has, the types of services you need from the lawyer, the type of pricing structure your lawyer uses, and how complex your case is.

Q: How Do You Change Your Power of Attorney in Louisiana?

A: You can change a power of attorney in Louisiana at any time as long as you have the adequate mental capacity to do so. To change your POA, you must revoke your current agent in writing and also assign a new one. After this, you have to deliver a copy to every institution that relied on the old document. It’s also good practice to destroy any physical copies of the original to avoid confusion.

Create a Power of Attorney With Skilled Support

Creating a power of attorney in Baton Rouge can not only help give you peace of mind, but it can also help ensure that your wishes are followed when you are unable to do so yourself. To learn more about creating a power of attorney and how it can help you, schedule a consultation with The Baringer Law Firm, L.L.C., today.