General Power Of Attorney

What's the difference between a general power of attorney and a durable power of attorney?

A general power of attorney typically becomes invalid if you become incapacitated, while a durable power of attorney remains in effect even if you can't make decisions yourself. Most people choose durable powers of attorney because they continue working when you need them most. The key difference is in the language - durable documents include specific wording that keeps them active during incapacity. Without this durability clause, your agent loses authority right when your family might need it most.