Drafting General and Special Powers of Attorney – Planning for the Unexpected
Law for Georgia, LLC

No one plans to become incapacitated—but a sudden illness, accident, or long-term health issue can make it impossible to manage your personal, legal, or financial affairs. That’s why every comprehensive estate plan should include a Power of Attorney (POA). At Law for Georgia, LLC, we help individuals across Georgia draft both general and special (limited) powers of attorney to ensure their wishes are carried out by someone they trust when they can no longer act for themselves.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives another person (called your agent or attorney-in-fact) the authority to act on your behalf in legal or financial matters. Powers of attorney can be broad or narrowly tailored depending on your specific needs.

There are two primary types of POAs:

1. General Power of Attorney

A general power of attorney grants your agent broad authority to handle most of your financial and legal matters. This may include:

• Managing bank accounts and paying bills

• Buying or selling property

• Filing taxes

• Handling insurance or retirement accounts

• Managing business affairs

This type of POA is useful for:

• Individuals who want someone to manage their affairs during extended travel or deployment

• Seniors planning for long-term care or declining capacity

• Business owners who need someone to act during temporary absence

A durable general power of attorney remains in effect even if you become mentally incapacitated, ensuring continuity of care and decision-making.

2. Special (Limited) Power of Attorney

A special or limited power of attorney gives your agent authority to act on your behalf for a specific task or transaction. It is commonly used for:

• Real estate closings when you’re unavailable to attend

• Managing a single bank account

• Signing documents for a business deal or legal matter

• Handling child care or school decisions while traveling

This type of POA ends once the specific task is completed or the time period expires.

Durable vs. Non-Durable Power of Attorney

• Durable POA – Remains valid if you become incapacitated

• Non-Durable POA – Automatically ends if you lose mental capacity

We typically recommend durable POAs for most estate planning purposes to ensure your agent can step in when it matters most.

Choosing the Right Agent

When creating a POA, you should choose someone who:

• Is trustworthy and responsible

• Understands your preferences and values

• Is capable of making financial or legal decisions

• Can act in your best interest, even under pressure

You may also name successor agents in case your primary agent is unable or unwilling to serve.

How Law for Georgia, LLC Can Help

At Law for Georgia, LLC, we take the time to understand your goals and create customized documents that align with your needs.

Our services include:

• Drafting general and limited powers of attorney tailored to your wishes

• Advising on the scope of authority and legal responsibilities of agents

• Coordinating your POA with other estate planning documents (wills, trusts, health directives)

• Ensuring compliance with Georgia law and proper execution of your documents

• Updating or revoking POAs as your circumstances change

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Without a valid power of attorney in place, your loved ones may need to go through a costly and time-consuming court process to gain legal authority over your affairs. Creating a POA now gives you control over your future and peace of mind that your affairs will be handled by someone you trust.

Contact Law for Georgia, LLC