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Palm Beach Estate Planning: Can Having A Power Of Attorney Protect Me From a Guardianship?

Uncategorized Dec 5, 2016
post about Palm Beach Estate Planning: Can Having A Power Of Attorney Protect Me From a Guardianship?

What is a durable power of attorney in Florida? Can it allow me to avoid a guardianship in Florida? Should I create a Florida estate plan in case I become incompetent? What is the difference between a guardianship and a power of attorney?

Power of Attorney and Palm Beach Guardianship

  • A power of attorney may act as a proper substitute for guardianship.
  • What is the difference?
  • A power of attorney is voluntarily signed by the party who would become a ward.
  • On the other hand, probate litigation lawyers in West Palm Beach know that, often times, a guardianship proceeding is done against a person’s will.
  • Do you have a power of attorney that may act as a proper substitute to guardianship?
  • Experienced Florida probate attorneys draft these agreements to stand up against the tests judges throw at them.
  • Is your power of attorney strong enough to stand up?

Florida Statute 744.462

  • This statute guides guardianship courts in Florida, specifying what they must consider when a person, who is subject to a guardianship, already has a durable power of attorney.
  • People may be able to avoid a guardianship if they have proper estate plans in place.
  • Estate planning lawyers in Palm Beach are able to create estate plans fairly quickly and affordably.
  • The West Palm Beach guardianship court knows that, if a power of attorney is the least restrictive means that can be used to meet the needs of a person in a guardianship matter, then a guardianship may not be required.
  • To read Florida Statute 744.462, and learn more about how judges in West Palm Beach decide whether a person’s power of attorney is sufficient, click here.