Both ordinary and enduring Powers of Attorney can grant general authority or specific powers.
General authority is broad and includes powers such as buying and selling real estate, managing rental properties, writing cheques from bank accounts, accessing safety deposit boxes, purchasing insurance, collecting debts, and managing business transactions. You can also grant somebody general authority but add restrictions. For example, the attorney is restricted from making business decisions for you.
If you need an attorney to enact specific powers, such as tax matters or family care, you can specify that in LawDepot’s Power of Attorney questionnaire. Some specific powers include:
- Business and real estate powers include maintaining property, real estate transactions, investments, personal and business operating transactions, insurance settlements, and claims or litigation matters.
- Government powers include tax matters, government benefit applications, and retirement benefit transactions.
- Estate and family powers involve family care, chattel and goods, estate and living trust transactions, and the employment of required professionals.
Neither an ordinary nor enduring attorney can make decisions regarding marriage, divorce, adoption, or refuse life-saving medical treatment. More than one attorney may be appointed, and you can choose if they may act independently or if they must mutually agree on decisions.