037 – Interview: Using Powers of Attorney to Help Older Adults

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with elder law attorney Harry Margolis, founder of Margolis & Bloom LLP and ElderLawAnswers.com. They discuss common questions related to the durable general power of attorney as a tool to help older adults, including:

• Why durable general power of attorney (POA) documents can be very helpful to older adults
• What can be done if an older person objects to the actions of his or her agent
• How to use transparency and communication to minimize family conflicts
• Whether POA documents should be effective immediately or only upon incapacity
• Why it’s important to put family care agreements in writing
• What you can do if you’re concerned the POA is abusing his or her power as an older person’s agent
• The pros and cons of appointing two people to be your agent on a POA
• Why trusts can work better than a POA
• What can be done when a POA tries to prevent other family members from visiting

Related episodes: 

036 – Interview: Minimizing Family Conflicts & Supporting Aging Parents
013 – Interview: Solving Hard Problems in Helping Aging Parents

Related Resources:

• AskHarry.info: Answers to Your Estate Planning Questions
  • You can ask attorney Harry Margolis your  questions on this site
• How Many Agents Should You Name on Your Durable Power of Attorney?
• ElderLawAnswers.com
• How to Avoid Problems Due to Senior Incapacity: The (Better) Durable General Power of Attorney