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Understanding Power of Attorney and Beneficiaries: Their Roles in Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning, two essential roles to understand are the power of attorney and beneficiaries. While they serve different purposes, both play crucial roles in ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your assets are managed according to your desires. Below you will find information explaining the difference between what a power of attorney does and what a beneficiary is, as well as how they each contribute to the estate planning process.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone the authority to act on your behalf in financial or legal matters if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions for yourself. Here’s what you need to know about the role of a power of attorney:

  1. Types of Power of Attorney: There are different types of powers of attorney, including:
    • General Power of Attorney: Grants broad authority to the designated individual to manage your financial and legal affairs.
    • Limited Power of Attorney: Specifies limited authority for a specific purpose or time period.
    • Durable Power of Attorney: Remains in effect even if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions.
  2. Responsibilities of a Power of Attorney: A power of attorney has a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests and make decisions that align with your wishes. They may manage your finances, pay bills, make investment decisions, and handle legal matters on your behalf.
  3. Appointment and Revocation: You have the ability to appoint and revoke a power of attorney at any time while you’re of sound mind. It’s essential to choose someone you trust implicitly to serve in this role and to clearly outline their powers and responsibilities in the POA document.

What is a Beneficiary?

A beneficiary is an individual or entity designated to receive assets or benefits from a trust, will, insurance policy, retirement account, or other financial instrument upon the death of the account holder or policyholder. Here’s what you should know about beneficiaries:

  1. Types of Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries can include family members, friends, charitable organizations, or even pets. They may be designated to receive specific assets or a percentage of the overall estate.
  2. Designating Beneficiaries: When creating a will, trust, or other estate planning documents, you’ll need to designate beneficiaries for your assets. It’s essential to update these designations regularly to reflect any changes in your circumstances or relationships.
  3. Rights of Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries have certain rights, including the right to receive the assets designated to them and to be kept informed about the administration of the estate or trust. 

In estate planning, the roles of power of attorney and beneficiaries are crucial for ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your assets are managed according to your desires. By understanding the responsibilities of a power of attorney and the rights of beneficiaries, you can take proactive steps to protect your interests and provide for your loved ones in the future.

If you’re considering creating a power of attorney or designating beneficiaries for your assets, call our office at (206) 408-8158. You can also learn more about our estate planning services by visiting us online at dallawfirm.com or our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dallawfirm.

Contact us:

19803 1st Avenue S.
Suite 200
Normandy Park, WA 98148

T (206) 408-8158
F (206) 374-2810

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