Understanding Power of Attorney: Financial and Healthcare Decisions
Life can change without warning. Illness, injury, or age-related decline can affect your ability to manage daily affairs. That’s why having a Power of Attorney (POA) in place is essential—regardless of your age or health status.
At Sutton & Lovette Law Offices, we help clients across Pennsylvania protect themselves and their families by establishing clear, legally sound Power of Attorney documents. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to act on your behalf. This person is called your agent or attorney-in-fact, and their authority can be broad or limited, depending on your wishes.
There are two primary types of POA:
Financial Power of Attorney
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Each serves a different purpose and plays a critical role in your overall estate plan.
Financial Power of Attorney
A Financial POA gives your agent the authority to handle financial matters if you become unable to do so. This can be temporary (e.g. during recovery from surgery) or long-term (e.g. due to dementia or incapacitation).
Responsibilities may include:
Managing bank accounts
Paying bills or handling investments
Filing taxes
Buying or selling real estate
Overseeing business operations
Accessing retirement funds
You can specify when the authority begins—immediately upon signing, or only upon your incapacitation (this is called a springing POA).
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A Healthcare POA—also called a Medical Power of Attorney—authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself.
This includes:
Consenting to or refusing medical treatment
Choosing doctors or care facilities
Approving surgery or procedures
Accessing medical records
Making end-of-life decisions (often paired with a Living Will)
This document only takes effect if you're declared incapacitated by a physician.
Why You Need Both
While these documents serve different roles, both are essential in protecting your interests.
Without a Financial POA, your loved ones may have to go to court to gain authority to manage your affairs, delaying time-sensitive decisions.
Without a Healthcare POA, critical medical choices may be left to default laws or cause conflict among family members.
Having both in place ensures decisions are made by someone you trust—and according to your wishes.
Pennsylvania POA Requirements
To be valid in Pennsylvania, your Power of Attorney documents must:
Be signed by you (the principal)
Be witnessed by two individuals
Be notarized
Include statutory language required under Pennsylvania law
Poorly drafted documents may not be accepted by banks, hospitals, or courts. That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney who understands Pennsylvania’s specific legal requirements.
Choosing the Right Agent
This is a personal decision—and a serious responsibility. Your agent should be:
Someone you trust completely
Capable of handling financial or medical matters
Willing to act in your best interest, even under pressure
Comfortable making difficult decisions
It’s also wise to name a backup agent in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve.
How Sutton & Lovette Can Help
We help you create durable, legally compliant Power of Attorney documents that reflect your goals and offer peace of mind. Our team will walk you through:
Choosing the right type of POA
Appointing a trusted agent
Complying with Pennsylvania legal standards
Integrating your POA into your overall estate plan
We also assist with Living Wills, Trusts, and Guardianship Planning when necessary.
Take Control of the Future
Don’t wait for a crisis. Putting the right Power of Attorney documents in place now ensures your voice is heard—no matter what happens.
Contact Sutton & Lovette Law Offices today to schedule a consultation and begin building a legal plan that protects your health, finances, and peace of mind.
