Take action today for a more secure tomorrow
Planning for the future means making sure your wishes are known and your loved ones are protected. Wills and powers of attorney are two legal tools that help you achieve these goals, even when you’re not able to speak for yourself.
Wills
A last will and testament—commonly called a will—is one of the most basic pieces of estate planning.
Creating a will allows you to designate beneficiaries for your assets and name guardians for your dependents. You’ll be able to articulate your wishes in a clear, legally binding outline.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal arrangement that gives someone else the authority to act on your behalf in certain situations. The person giving the power is called the principal, and the person chosen to act on their behalf is called the agent or attorney-in-fact (even if they’re not an attorney).
There are different types of power of attorney, including the following:
- General POA (the broadest power)
- Medical/healthcare POA (allows someone to make medical decisions for you)
- Limited/special POA (allows authority only for specific tasks)
What is an executor?
One major benefit of having a will is the ability to appoint an executor—although in Oregon, the term personal representative is used more commonly.
Your personal representative is the person who will be responsible for managing your estate and ensuring your instructions are carried out after your passing. This individual will need to navigate the legal process called probate, so it’s crucial to choose someone you can trust and rely on.
If you don’t have anyone to name as your personal representative, don’t worry: we can help.
Get in touch
Contact our office to start making a plan.
The Law Office of Don Johnson 