Power of Attorney Uses

• You may use a POA to appoint an agent for many purposes, including handling a specific financial or legal matter, managing your finances or making health care decisions for you.
  
  

POA Timeframe

• Your appointed agent acts only for the time period that you specify. You may create a durable POA that authorizes an agent to act if you are incapacitated.
  
  

Estate Trustee Responsibilities

• Your trustee manages your estate following your death. Responsibilities include gathering assets, collecting debts and paying bills, making investments and filing a regular accounting.
  
  

Trustee Timeframe

• The trustee's responsibilities continue until all of your estate's assets are distributed to beneficiaries. Distribution may be completed shortly after your death or may continue over several generations.
  
  

Choosing an Agent or Trustee

• You may choose a family member, friend or professional to handle either of these roles. Both agents and trustees must be reliable. Consider the responsibilities you are assigning to the person you appoint and choose someone with appropriate skills and personal qualities.