Shreveport Power of Attorney Lawyer

Shreveport Power of Attorney

Navigating a power of attorney case in Louisiana can be complicated, especially if you’re trying to do everything on your own. You can turn to a Shreveport power of attorney lawyer from Ezell Law Firm, LLC to evaluate your situation and help you make the right moves for your advance care plan.

Power of Attorney Cases in Shreveport

A power of attorney, known as a “mandate” under Louisiana law, gives someone of your choice the ability to act for you when you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself. A total of 1,161,958 people across the country applied for lasting power of attorney in 2023 alone.

More and more people are utilizing this service in large part due to parts of the registration process being moved online. Even with the simplified application process, it can be complicated to navigate a power of attorney case. It’s highly recommended that you hire a power of attorney lawyer to help you navigate the process.

People often grant medical power of attorney alongside a living will to secure the proper care in the case of incapacitation. In a recent study, 78 percent of physicians in emergency departments across the country indicated that they found power of attorney documentation to be useful.

Another common type of mandate is a financial mandate. A financial power of attorney can manage accounts, pay bills, handle investments, and file taxes on behalf of the principal.

There are many different types of powers of attorney that you can create under Louisiana law, including:

• General mandates grant broad authority over all financial, legal, and personal matters.
• Special mandates grant authority over specific tasks that are expressly listed in the document.
• Durable mandates are valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated.
• Non-durable mandates automatically end if the principal becomes incapacitated.

It’s highly recommended for everyone to designate a power of attorney. It’s never too early to start, but the older you get, the more important it’s likely to become. In Shreveport, approximately 18 percent of the population is 65 years old or older, and 58 percent falls between the ages of 18 and 64.

Our goal as a local Shreveport advanced care and estate planning law firm is to help as many members of the community and their families, no matter what stage of life they’re in.

How a Local Shreveport Power of Attorney Lawyer Can Help With Your Case

Ezell Law Firm, LLC has been navigating advanced care planning and estate cases in Louisiana for over 40 years. When you choose us to help with your power of attorney case, you’re choosing a local law firm that cares.

Our attorneys are a part of this community, and we care about our neighbors. We take pride in representing local community members and businesses throughout Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Types of Power of Attorney in Shreveport?

The most common types of power of attorney (POA) in Shreveport typically include a healthcare power of attorney and a medical power of attorney. That said, there are many other mandates recognized under Louisiana law, including military mandates, real estate mandates, and springing mandates.

You can also get more specific by choosing between general mandates and special mandates and durable versus non-durable mandates. A Shreveport power of attorney lawyer can help you make the right decision.

When Can I Establish Power of Attorney in Shreveport?

When you can establish power of attorney in Shreveport depends on your mental status. As long as you are a legal adult and of sound mind, you are able to create a power of attorney at any time.

Depending on the mandate, you may have to meet additional requirements, such as having notaries and witnesses present. It’s recommended to hire a power of attorney lawyer to help you prepare the documents and confirm they meet Louisiana’s strict legal standards.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Power of Attorney in Shreveport?

The most common mistakes to avoid when creating a power of attorney in Shreveport include being too vague, choosing an untrustworthy power of attorney, and failing to make a document durable if your wish is for the mandate to stand even if the principal is incapacitated.

Other errors people often make include not updating their mandate regularly to reflect their current wishes. Improper signing and witnessing can also lead to delays or issues with creating the mandate.

Can I Appoint Multiple Agents Under the Same Power of Attorney Under Louisiana Law?

Yes, you can appoint multiple agents under the same power of attorney under Louisiana law. You must specify how the agents, also known as mandataries, are going to act under the power of attorney.

You can have joint agents that act together to make decisions or separate agents that can act alone without the other’s approval. In some cases, you may assign a successor agent to take over in the event the primary agent can no longer perform their duties.

Hire a Power of Attorney Lawyer to Help With Your Case in Shreveport

Advance care and estate planning can be a daunting prospect, but it’s an important step that’s beneficial for individuals of any age. A Shreveport power of attorney lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for navigating your case. Our attorneys at Ezell Law Firm, LLC have been partnering with Louisianans for over four decades.

Our team has experience representing clients in complex power of attorney cases and navigating procedures through the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish. You can count on our attorneys to have in-depth knowledge of advanced care planning laws in Louisiana that help you through your case.

If you want to learn more about how we can help with your power of attorney case, come to our Baton Rouge office. We’re located on Perkins Road, not too far from the I-10 and I-12 interchange. Give the office a call to schedule an appointment with a member of our team today.