Empowering You to Choose Who Acts on Your Behalf

A power of attorney is one of the most important documents you can have as part of your estate planning. It allows someone you trust to step in and make decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself. Many people think these documents are only needed later in life, but the truth is that anyone can face a medical emergency or period of incapacity. Having the proper powers of attorney in place ensures that your wishes are followed and that your family can act on your behalf without court involvement.

For more than 45 years, I have helped individuals and families throughout the Milwaukee area understand how powers of attorney work and why they are essential. My goal is to explain everything in clear, simple terms so you feel confident and prepared.

Why Powers of Attorney Are So Important

If you become mentally or physically unable to make decisions—whether temporarily or permanently—someone must be able to:

• Pay your bills
• Manage your accounts
• Make medical decisions
• Communicate with doctors
• Handle day‑to‑day responsibilities

Without a power of attorney, your family may have to go through a court process to obtain the authority to help you. This can be stressful, expensive, and time‑consuming. A properly prepared power of attorney avoids these problems and gives your chosen person the ability to act immediately when needed.

Two Main Types of Powers of Attorney

1. Financial (Durable) Power of Attorney

This document allows someone you trust to handle your financial matters if you cannot. This may include:

• Paying bills
• Managing bank accounts
• Handling insurance matters
• Filing taxes
• Managing property or investments

A Durable Power of Attorney remains valid even if you become incapacitated, which is why it is such an important part of planning ahead.

2. Health Care Power of Attorney

This document allows someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your wishes. This may include:



• Approving medical treatments
• Communicating with doctors
• Making decisions about surgery or care
• Ensuring your health care preferences are followed

Without this document, medical providers may not be able to speak with your family or follow your wishes.

Avoiding Court Proceedings Through Proper Planning

One of the simplest ways to avoid court involvement is to have powers of attorney in place before they are needed. Without these documents, your family may need to petition the court for guardianship—a process that can be:

• Lengthy
• Expensive
• Emotionally difficult
• Completely avoidable

A power of attorney allows your chosen person to step into your “shoes” and handle your affairs smoothly and legally.

How Powers of Attorney Fit Into Your Estate Plan

Powers of Attorney work together with other planning tools, such as:

• Wills
• Transfer on Death Deeds
• Beneficiary designations
• Simple probate‑avoidance strategies

These documents help ensure that your affairs are handled smoothly both during your lifetime and after your passing. They are an essential part of avoiding unnecessary court proceedings and making things easier for your children or beneficiaries.

Choosing the Right Person

Selecting the right person to act as your agent is an important decision. I will help you think through:

• Who is trustworthy
• Who is capable of handling financial or medical matters
• Whether you should name one person or more than one
• How to choose backups in case your first choice cannot serve

You remain in full control of your decisions while you are able to make them. Your agent only steps in if you cannot.

A Conversation to Help You Understand Your Options

If you are unsure which documents you need or how powers of attorney work, I would be happy to meet with you and explain everything in clear, easy‑to‑understand terms. You will never feel rushed or pressured. My goal is to help you make informed decisions that protect you and your family.