ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Powers of Attorney | Haskell & Dyer
Choose Who Handles Your Affairs, or a Court Will.
A power of attorney lets you choose, in advance, the person who handles your finances if you cannot. Without one, that decision falls to a court. We help you put the right one in place before you ever need it.
Compassionate estate planning for families across Southern Maryland. The consultation is a conversation, not a commitment.
Why This Matters Before You Need It
A power of attorney only works if it's already signed.
Once you are unable to make decisions, it is too late to sign one. At that point your family may have to go to court for guardianship, which costs time and money and takes the choice out of your hands. Putting a power of attorney in place now keeps that decision yours.
What It Is
You Name the Person You Trust
A power of attorney authorizes someone you choose, your agent, to act on your behalf. You set how much power they have and when it applies.
Stays in Effect
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney keeps working even if you become incapacitated, which is the whole point for planning. Without the durable feature, the authority can end exactly when your family needs it most.
Starts Later
Springing Power of Attorney
A springing power of attorney takes effect only when a defined event happens, usually your incapacity. It gives you privacy now and authority later, though it can take longer to activate when the moment comes.
What Your Agent Can Handle
The Powers You Can Grant
You decide how broad or narrow the authority is. Common powers include these.
Pay bills and manage accounts
Handle real estate
Manage investments
Deal with taxes
Run a business interest
Apply for benefits
Why It Matters
What a Power of Attorney Prevents
The document is short. What it spares your family is not.
Choice
You pick your agent, not a judge
Speed
Your agent can act without a court order
Cost
You avoid a guardianship proceeding
Continuity
Bills and affairs keep getting handled
How We Help You Set One Up
We make sure the document covers what you need, names the right person, and will be accepted when it is used.
We Scope the Powers
We tailor the authority to what you actually want your agent to handle, broad or narrow, durable or springing.
We Help You Choose Wisely
The agent holds real power. We talk through who to name, and a backup, so the choice protects you.
We Draft It to Hold Up
We prepare and execute it so banks and institutions accept it, which is where weak documents often fail.
We Fit It Into Your Plan
A power of attorney works alongside your will, trust, and advance directive. We make the pieces work together.
Common Questions
Powers of Attorney, Answered
What happens if I don't have a power of attorney and I can't manage my affairs?
If you become unable to handle your finances and have no power of attorney in place, your family usually has to ask a court to appoint a guardian or conservator. That process takes time and money, plays out in court, and the person appointed may not be who you would have chosen. A power of attorney avoids all of that by naming your agent in advance.
What does "durable" mean?
Durable means the power of attorney stays in effect even after you become incapacitated. That is exactly when you need it most, so for planning purposes the durable feature is essential. A power of attorney that is not durable can stop working at the moment your family needs the authority, which defeats the purpose.
What's a springing power of attorney?
A springing power of attorney does not take effect right away. It springs into action only when a specific condition is met, usually a determination that you are incapacitated. It can give you peace of mind that no one can act for you until that point, though proving the triggering event can add a step and some delay when the time comes.
Doesn't my spouse automatically have this authority?
Not as fully as people assume. A spouse can handle some jointly held matters, but many accounts, real estate decisions, and institutions require formal authority to act for you. Without a power of attorney, even a spouse can hit walls. The document removes the doubt and lets your chosen agent act cleanly.
Can I change or cancel it later?
Yes. As long as you have capacity, you can revoke or replace your power of attorney at any time, and you can name a different agent if your circumstances change. It is your document and stays under your control while you are able to manage your own affairs. We can help you update it whenever you need to.
Put the Right Person in Charge, Before You Ever Need To.
A power of attorney is one of the simplest, most important pieces of a plan. Reach out and we will help you set one up that names the right person and holds up when it counts. The consultation is a conversation, not a commitment.
Prefer to talk now? Reach us at 301-627-5844