Power of attorney lawyer Illinois for financial and healthcare decisions you control
Planning For Incapacity
Estate planning is not only about what happens later. With financial and healthcare powers of attorney, you choose trusted agents to act if you cannot. The Law Offices of Jeffrey Sell prepares Illinois compliant POAs and living wills for clients in Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook.
Financial Power Of Attorney
A property POA authorizes your agent to pay bills, manage accounts, handle taxes, and sign real estate documents. We can make it durable and either immediate or springing based on your comfort. Scope and limits are tailored to fit your needs.
Healthcare Power Of Attorney And Living Wil
A healthcare POA lets your agent talk with doctors and make treatment choices if you cannot. A living will records your wishes about life sustaining measures in specific circumstances. Together they prevent confusion and help your family honor your values.
Choosing The Right Agents
Pick people who are reliable, calm under pressure, and willing to follow instructions. Name backups so there is always someone available to act. We provide tips for talking with your agents so they know exactly what you want.
Using And Storing Your POAs
We supervise signing with required witnesses and notary where needed. Keep originals secure and share copies with your bank and doctors so they are ready when needed. If an institution asks for updates, we help refresh forms quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a POA different from guardianship
A POA is created by you in advance and is private and flexible. Guardianship involves a court and judge when there is no POA and can be time consuming and costly. POAs help you avoid that process and keep control over who helps you.
Do POAs need to be notarized
A financial POA needs a notary and a witness and a healthcare POA requires a witness but not a notary. We handle the formalities at the signing appointment. Proper execution makes banks and hospitals more likely to accept the documents.
Should my financial POA be immediate or springing
Immediate POAs are simpler for banks to honor and can be held until needed. Springing POAs start after a doctor confirms incapacity but can create delays. We will explain tradeoffs and follow the approach you prefer.
Can I name co agents
Illinois allows co agents, but shared authority can create conflicts. Most clients pick one primary agent with alternates to keep decisions clear. We will discuss family dynamics and recommend a structure that works.
When do POAs end
All POAs end at death and your executor or trustee takes over. You can also revoke a POA anytime while competent. If your agent cannot serve and no backup is named, we can help add a new agent before problems arise.
Meet the Team
Our attorneys
New York City, NY
Office
Phone:
45 Rockefeller Plaza, Floor 20
New York, NY 10111
Valencia, Spain
Office
Phone:
Gran Via de Ferran el Católic
Valencia, Spain 46008