Powers of Attorney & Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care

Financial power of attorney

A financial power of attorney lets you name someone (your 'agent') to manage your money and property if you ever can't — because of illness, injury, or incapacity. Your agent can pay your bills, manage your accounts, file your taxes, and handle your real estate, keeping your financial life running smoothly when you can't.

We typically recommend a 'durable' power of attorney, which stays in effect even if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family would have to go to court to be appointed as a conservator to manage your finances — a public, costly, and slow process that a good power of attorney is designed to help you avoid.

Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care

Georgia uses a single document called the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, which combines what other states call a living will and a health care power of attorney. It lets you name a health care agent to make medical decisions for you if you can't, and it states your wishes about life-sustaining treatment in specific situations.

This document is what tells doctors and hospitals who to listen to when you can't speak for yourself. Without it, your family may disagree about your care, and a court may have to step in. With it, the person you trust makes decisions guided by your wishes — not by guesswork.

Why these documents matter for every adult

Many people think powers of attorney and advance directives are only for older adults. They're not. Accidents and serious illness can happen at any age, and the documents that protect you in those moments are just as important as a will or trust.

In fact, we recommend that every adult in your family — including your adult children who have turned 18 — have these documents in place. Once a child turns 18, you no longer have automatic authority to make medical or financial decisions for them, even in an emergency. A health care directive and power of attorney ensure you can help your child when they need it most.

Choosing the right agents

Your financial agent and your health care agent don't have to be the same person — and often they shouldn't be. Your financial agent should be organized, trustworthy, and good with money. Your health care agent should be someone who understands your values, can handle difficult conversations, and will advocate for your wishes under pressure.

We help you think through these choices, name alternates in case your first choice can't serve, and make sure your documents clearly express your wishes. The goal is that the right people are empowered to act, and your family never has to guess what you would have wanted.

How these documents fit your full plan

Powers of attorney and an advance directive are essential on their own, but they also work alongside your will or trust. A revocable living trust handles your trust assets if you're incapacitated, while a power of attorney covers assets that aren't in the trust. Together, they form a complete safety net.

If you already have these documents but they're several years old, it's worth a review. Banks and hospitals are increasingly reluctant to accept outdated powers of attorney, and Georgia's advance directive form has been updated over the years. A plan review makes sure your documents will actually work when your family needs them.

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• Wills
• Revocable Living Trusts
• Estate Plan Review
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