Gallatin Power of Attorney Lawyer

Power of Attorney in Gallatin, TN

Power of attorney is an essential part of a solid estate plan. This is a document that appoints a person of your choice to make medical or financial decisions for you in the event of your disability, incapacity, or other inability to make your own decisions. Because a power of attorney provides important authority, even small mistakes can lead to big problems. If you are in Gallatin, a power of attorney lawyer at Phillips | Ralston can help.

For almost 50 years, the trusted legal team at Phillips | Ralston has been helping people in Gallatin and Sumner County with their most complicated legal needs. Our top priority is treating each client with the care, attention, and proven legal solutions that they need for the most favorable outcome possible in their case. Your power of attorney lawyer can make sure the needs of your family are covered, no matter what the future brings.

Gallatin Power of Attorney Laws

Power of attorney is a legal document that designates a person to make decisions and handle your affairs in the event that you are unable to do so on your own. For a power of attorney to be valid in Tennessee, it either has to be notarized or witnessed by two disinterested parties. Once the power of attorney is signed, it is legally binding. This document generally names the following:

• Principal. The principal is the person who gives power to another person or agent.
• Agent. The agent is the person being given the power by the principal and being authorized to make decisions on behalf of the principal and handle their affairs.

It is generally recommended to have a primary agent and at least one backup in case the primary agent is unable or unwilling to take the responsibility.

Types of Power of Attorney

Since a power of attorney is intended to provide a person with the authority to make important decisions for someone else, there are several types of power of attorney. Each covers specific elements and provides specific powers to the designated agents. These include:

• Durable Power of Attorney. The agent has the authority to make financial and other important decisions on your behalf. Examples include paying bills, making investment decisions, filing taxes, and writing checks from your personal account. However, an agent has a fiduciary duty to make sure that any assets they have access to are used appropriately for your benefit.
• Temporary or Limited Power of Attorney. Power of attorney can have limitations. These limitations can apply to duration and scope. This means you can set specific rules about how, when, and for how long the agent can use their authority. For example, you may be able to only allow the agent to act on your behalf if a doctor declares that you are not capable of making your own decisions.
• Medical or Healthcare Power of Attorney. The agent has the authority to make medical decisions if you are unable to make decisions about your own healthcare. Examples include granting permission to treat illnesses, perform surgery, be admitted to an assisted living facility or nursing home, terminate life-saving treatments, or determine what happens to your remains after your death. It is important to note that an agent can’t override other formal advance directives.

According to a 2025 survey, medical concerns are people’s top reason for making plans for the future of their affairs. It is estimated that as little as 18% of adults in the United States have a healthcare power of attorney or advanced care plan. Further, 78% of emergency department physicians found power of attorney documents to be very or extremely useful.

FAQs

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need for a Power of Attorney?

For a power of attorney, you need an estate planning lawyer. Estate planning lawyers have extensive knowledge regarding the creation of legal documents to manage an individual’s affairs, including a power of attorney. Your lawyer can make sure your documents comply with legal requirements, tailor the document to your needs, and minimize the chances of complications or conflict so you have peace of mind about your future.

Who Is the Ideal Person to Give Power of Attorney?

The ideal person to give power of attorney to is someone you can completely trust with the authority to manage your affairs. This person needs to be willing to take on this responsibility, as well as being available and capable of making decisions with your interests and wishes in mind. In many cases, this is a spouse, adult child, other family member, close friend, or even a lawyer or other professional.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Power of Attorney?

How long it takes to get a power of attorney can vary, depending on the type of powers being granted and how complex and specific your wishes are. In some straightforward cases, completing the power of attorney and having it notarized may only take a few hours. For more complex cases, the document needs to be more comprehensive. For example, a durable power of attorney needs specific legal language to be effective in the event of your incapacity.

What Is the Most Powerful Type of Power of Attorney?

The most powerful type of power of attorney is a durable power of attorney. This is because it gives the agent the authority to handle a wide range of legal and financial matters and also remains in place in the event that the principal becomes incapable of making their own decisions. It is essential to make sure the agent is someone responsible and trustworthy, since they will have a lot of authority over decisions in your life.

Hire a Power of Attorney Lawyer Today

At Phillips | Ralston, our lawyers have provided excellence in legal services for thousands of clients in the Gallatin/Sumner County area, including Power of Attorney cases. When you hire a power of attorney lawyer at our firm, you can trust that you are getting the experience and skills you and your family need to make sure your future is secure. Contact our office right away to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your needs.