Episode 17

Host: Jill Mastroianni

How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and When It’s Too Late to Get One

Your parent’s health is declining. The bills keep piling up. Are you legally allowed to step in? In this first Tuesday Triage episode, Jill explains how powers of attorney really work, who can use them, and what you can do now to prepare for your parent’s cognitive decline before it’s too late.

What We Discussed

  • What a power of attorney is and when to use it

  • Who can grant a power of attorney and when mental capacity matters

  • Immediate vs. springing powers of attorney

  • Why successor agents can’t act until the primary agent can’t

  • Practical steps to prepare for your parent’s cognitive decline, including:

    • Gathering essential personal, home, medical, and pet information

    • Documenting financial accounts and bills

    • Locating the original power of attorney document

  • The emotional challenge of confronting a parent’s decline, and why being proactive is an act of courage and love

Resources & Links

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Episode 16: How to Prevent your Estate Plan from Becoming a Family Battlefield