Power of Attorneys allow you to give someone else the authority to act on your behalf.  You, as the principle or the person giving the authority, can decide how much or how little authority you want to give your agent.  Your agent is the person obtaining the authority to act on your behalf.  The power of attorney describes the extent of authority you have given your agent.

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a specific type of power of attorney.  If your power of attorney is NOT a durable power of attorney, then the authority under the power of attorney ceases when you become incapacitated.  The Texas Legislature has modified this rule by authorizing what is called a durable power of attorney.  A durable power of attorney allows your agent to act on your behalf even when you are incapacitated.  The authority granted under the durable power of attorney last until you revoke the authority or upon your death.

Durable Power of Attorney’s are used often in estate planning.  It allows a person you trust to make decisions for you when you are not able to make them yourself.

Medical Power of Attorney

A Medical Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an agent to make decisions regarding health care decisions if you are unable to the decision yourself.