Generally, powers of attorney cover your property and/or assets and medical care. These legal instruments generally name a spouse or other trusted adult as your “agent” with either full or limited control on specific or general issues.

Powers of Attorney can include:

• A general power of attorney that allows your designated agent to make almost any decision on your behalf.
• A limited power of attorney that limits your agent to handle certain acts or transactions; this may also be written for a limited time period (for example, if you are traveling or staying abroad).
• A durable power of attorney that authorizes someone to take charge of your financial affairs should you become incapacitated; this agent has a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests.
• A durable health care (medical) power of attorney that authorizes the type of care you will receive, such as end-of-life care; this person enforces an advanced care directive and makes any decisions that are not covered in it.
• A mental health care power of attorney that authorizes your agent to make mental health decisions on your behalf, including admission to memory care facilities.