Power of Attorney Attorney in Glendale, CA

Why You Need a Power of Attorney

Without a power of attorney, if you become incapacitated due to illness, injury, or dementia, your family may need to go to court to obtain conservatorship just to access your bank accounts, pay your bills, or make medical decisions. This process can take months, cost thousands of dollars, and cause tremendous stress during an already difficult time.

1. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances

Most Common | Most Important

A Durable Power of Attorney for Finances allows your agent to manage your financial affairs, including:

• Pay bills and manage bank accounts
• File taxes and handle IRS matters
• Manage investments and retirement accounts
• Buy, sell, or refinance real estate
• Run your business if you're incapacitated
• Access safe deposit boxes
• Make insurance decisions
• Handle Social Security and government benefits

Why it's "Durable": The word "durable" means the power continues even after you become incapacitated—which is exactly when you need it most.

2. Medical Power of Attorney (Advance Healthcare Directive)

Critical for Medical Decisions

A Medical Power of Attorney (also called an Advance Healthcare Directive in California) allows your agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot communicate your wishes, including:

• Consent to or refuse medical treatment
• Choose doctors and healthcare facilities
• Access your medical records (HIPAA authorization)
• Make end-of-life decisions according to your wishes
• Decide on surgery, medications, and procedures
• Authorize hospice or palliative care

Important: California's Advance Healthcare Directive combines a medical POA with a living will, allowing you to specify your end-of-life wishes in writing.

3. Limited Power of Attorney

For Specific Transactions

A Limited Power of Attorney grants authority for a specific task or time period, such as:

• Selling a specific piece of property while you're out of the country
• Managing a single business transaction
• Signing documents for a refinance while you're unavailable
• Handling a specific legal or financial matter

This type automatically expires after the specified task is completed or the time period ends.

4. Springing Power of Attorney

Activates Upon Incapacity

A Springing Power of Attorney doesn't take effect until a specific event occurs—typically when you become incapacitated as certified by a physician. While this sounds appealing, it can cause problems:

• Banks may refuse to honor it without extensive proof of incapacity
• Determining "incapacity" can lead to family disputes
• Delays at a time when immediate action is needed

My Recommendation: A standard durable POA with proper safeguards is usually more practical than a springing POA.

When does a Power of Attorney take effect?

A standard durable power of attorney takes effect immediately upon signing (though you can still make all your own decisions). A springing POA takes effect only when you become incapacitated. Most estate planning attorneys, including me, recommend immediate POAs because they avoid delays when urgent action is needed.

Does a POA end when I die?

Yes. All powers of attorney automatically terminate at your death. After you pass away, your estate is handled by the executor named in your will or the successor trustee named in your living trust—not your POA agent.

Can I have more than one agent?

Yes. You can name co-agents who must act together, or you can name successor agents who take over if your first choice cannot serve. However, naming co-agents requires them to agree on every decision, which can cause delays. I usually recommend one primary agent with one or two successors.

Can I revoke a Power of Attorney?

Yes. As long as you have mental capacity, you can revoke a POA at any time by executing a written revocation and notifying your agent and any institutions that have a copy (banks, brokers, etc.).

What's the difference between POA and Conservatorship?

A power of attorney is a document you create voluntarily while you're healthy. Conservatorship is a court proceeding where a judge appoints someone to manage your affairs after you've already become incapacitated. Conservatorship costs $5,000-$10,000+, takes 3-6 months, and requires ongoing court supervision. A POA avoids all of this.

Do I need a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney?

While California allows you to use statutory POA forms, having an experienced attorney draft your documents ensures they're properly customized, legally valid, and will actually be accepted by banks and healthcare providers. DIY forms often contain errors that make them useless when you need them most. Our affordable pricing makes it easy to get professional legal documents.

What happens if I don't have a Power of Attorney?

If you become incapacitated without a POA, your family must petition the court for conservatorship. This process involves:

• Hiring an attorney ($3,000-$5,000+)
• Court filing fees and investigation costs
• 3-6 months of court proceedings
• Ongoing annual accountings to the court
• Annual conservatorship fees
• Public court records (no privacy)

Total cost often exceeds $10,000 for something that a $395 POA could have prevented.

25+ Years of Experience

Attorney Rozsa Gyene has been practicing estate planning law in California since 2001, serving thousands of families throughout Los Angeles County and beyond. With over two decades of experience, we know exactly how to prepare POA documents that will be accepted by California banks, hospitals, and government agencies.

Transparent, Affordable Pricing

No hidden fees, no surprise bills. You'll know exactly what you're paying upfront. Our POA packages start at just $395, or are included FREE with any living trust. Compare this to firms charging $800-$1,500+ for the same documents.

Personalized Service

You'll work directly with Attorney Rozsa Gyene—not a paralegal or assistant. We take time to understand your unique situation and customize your documents accordingly. We explain everything in plain English, never legal jargon.

Fast Turnaround

Most clients have their completed documents within 1-2 weeks. Need them faster? We offer expedited service for urgent situations. We understand that sometimes you need POA documents quickly—before surgery, before travel, or before further cognitive decline.

Comprehensive Estate Planning

Power of attorney is just one piece of complete estate planning. We also handle:

• Living Trusts - Avoid probate and protect your assets
• Wills & Last Testament - Ensure your wishes are honored
• Trust Administration - Help after a loved one passes
• Probate - We advance all costs
• Conservatorship - For when POA wasn't created in time

Case Study: The Stroke That Changed Everything

Maria, Age 67, Glendale

Maria had a stroke while shopping at the Glendale Galleria. She survived but couldn't speak or make decisions. Fortunately, she had created a durable power of attorney two years earlier, naming her daughter Sofia as her agent.

With POA: Sofia immediately accessed Maria's bank accounts to pay bills, coordinated with Medicare for treatment, made medical decisions with Maria's doctors, and handled Maria's rental property. Total time to get everything in order: 2 days.

Without POA: Sofia would have needed to petition for conservatorship—6 months, $8,000 in legal fees, public court proceedings, and ongoing court supervision. Meanwhile, bills would go unpaid, medical decisions delayed, and Maria's rental property would face problems.

"The POA my mom set up was the smartest thing she ever did. It saved our family months of stress and thousands of dollars. I recommend everyone get one—you never know when you'll need it." - Sofia M., Glendale

Case Study: The Business Owner's Emergency

Robert, Age 52, Burbank

Robert owned a successful restaurant in Burbank. When he was hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on a ventilator, his wife needed to access business bank accounts, sign payroll, and make critical business decisions.

With POA: Robert's wife used his durable POA to keep the business running, pay employees, negotiate with landlord, and access business accounts. The restaurant survived, employees kept their jobs.

Without POA: The business would have faced immediate closure. Employees would have been laid off. Vendors would have gone unpaid. Conservatorship proceedings would have taken months—far too long to save the business.

"I never thought I'd need it. I was only 52, healthy, successful. Then COVID hit. The POA literally saved my business and my family's financial future." - Robert T., Burbank

Ready to Get Your Power of Attorney?

Call now for a free consultation with an experienced power of attorney attorney

(818) 291-6217

Office Location:
450 N Brand Blvd, Suite 600
Glendale, CA 91203

Serving Glendale, Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, and all of Southern California