When planning ahead for unexpected accidents, illness, or incapacity, Powers of Attorney (“POAs”) are essential legal tools for all adults. Michigan law provides two main types of POAs, but rules governing them recently changed.

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A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to name someone you trust, often called a “patient advocate” or “agent for health care decisions,” to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself.  When helping you create a healthcare power of attorney, Maple Law Group will discuss your choice of advocate, what powers they will have, your end-of-life care preferences, the legal significance of creating the documents, and give you practical advice about the document.

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A General Durable Power of Attorney grants someone you trust, called your “agent,” the authority to act on your behalf in matters of real estate, personal property, finances, legal dealings, pet care, and more. When helping you create a general durable power of attorney, Maple Law group will discuss your choice of agent, what powers they will have, the legal significance of creating the document, and how Michigan’s new laws affect you and your document.

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Because Michigan adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act in 2024, it’s important to know how the changes affect you. If you already have executed powers of attorney, you should review them to ensure the documents comply with the new law—or at least that it was valid under the law in effect when it was made—and that they still reflect your wishes.  If you are creating a new power of attorney, Maple Law Group will help you take advantage of the UPOAA’s clarity.

 

If you’d like help drafting a Power of Attorney (whether for health care or financial matters), or checking whether your existing documents are valid under the new Michigan law, the attorneys at Maple Law Group are happy to assist.  Call (734) 519-1019 or email info@maplelawgroup.com for a free consultation.