A General Durable Power of Attorney

1. Allows you to delegate someone to do things on your behalf while you are alive, even if you are incapacitated. It must be signed with the same formalities as a Will (witnessed and notarized).
2. Can make it easier for you to qualify for Medicaid by allowing someone to make strategic decisions. It dies with you.
3. Allows you to choose when it is effective: immediately or when you become incapacitated.
   • If effective immediately, you must:
     • Inform the person whom you are appointing.
     • File it in the Register of Deeds office located in your county, and 
     • Consider having the appointed agent sign an Acknowledgment.
4. It is a powerful document and when written to suit your unique circumstances, can protect you while allowing you to continue managing your affairs.