By Corcoran Smith Law Corp. · Updated
California Power of Attorney: Choose Who Acts for You
A financial power of attorney lets you authorize another person to act for you within the document’s scope. Ask a California attorney about choosing an agent, the authority to give and when it should apply. You can discuss a new document or an existing power of attorney as part of a free estate-planning consultation.
Who would handle a financial decision if you could not? A planning conversation can help you think through the person, the powers and the instructions, rather than leaving those questions until a difficult moment.
Choosing someone you trust to act for you
Discuss who is willing and able to handle the responsibilities, who could act as an alternate, and the practical arrangements you want. A trusted relationship is the starting point; ask the attorney to explain the authority the document would actually give.
The powers, timing and limits to discuss
- Which property or financial decisions the agent should handle.
- When the authority should begin and what should happen if your capacity changes.
- Any limits, reporting arrangements or instructions you want to discuss.
- How the document fits your trust and other planning documents.
Reviewing an existing power of attorney
Bring the complete signed document and explain what has changed or what an institution has asked for. Ask about the scope of a review before making changes. If your concern is that someone is misusing an existing power, say so when you call; that requires a different conversation from preparing a new plan.
Financial planning and health care wishes are different
Use the advance health care directive page for help documenting health care wishes and discussing a health care agent. Bring both kinds of documents to a broader planning review so you can ask how they fit together.
What a financial power of attorney does
A financial power of attorney is a legal document authorizing another person, the agent, to act on the maker’s behalf. It can be limited to certain decisions or give broader authority. A durable power of attorney continues to be effective if the maker becomes incapacitated. State law and the document’s terms matter when deciding what an agent may do.
Sources: CFPB — What is a power of attorney? · Verified 2026-10-23.
What does it cost, and what is included?
Ask about the fee for preparing a financial power of attorney or reviewing an existing one, what the review includes and how signing will be handled. The first consultation is free; any document work has an agreed scope and fee.
What to bring to your first conversation
- Any existing power of attorney and related trust documents.
- The person you are considering as agent and an alternate.
- The financial tasks or questions you want the attorney to address.
You can call before gathering every document. The website form needs only your name and a phone number or email; save private documents and account details for the firm’s instructions.
Understand your options before deciding
See all estate-planning options, including:
Nicholas Jacobs lists estate planning, inheritance disputes and beneficiary rights in his practice. Read the team’s background and ask who would handle your planning work.
The attorneys behind this resource
Enquiries through California Inheritance Law go to Corcoran Smith Law Corp. Review the attorney profiles and State Bar records, then ask who would handle your matter and what experience they have with your particular issue.
Read the team’s background and how this site prepares its legal information. Representation requires a conflict check and a written engagement; contacting the firm does not guarantee acceptance.
Common questions
What does durable mean in a financial power of attorney?
Durable means the authority continues if the maker becomes incapacitated. Ask the attorney about the proposed wording, when the powers begin and any limits.
Can I ask about a power of attorney someone is misusing?
Yes. Explain the concern and bring the document and relevant records to the consultation if requested. A concern about misuse is different from drafting a new planning document.
Before you call: How a living trust works · Understanding a will