Durable Powers of Attorney

With age comes the probability of an individual suffering an unfortunate disability that may render that person legally incapacitated. To address this concern, a person can sign a Durable Power of Attorney, authorizing an individual other than themselves to make financial decisions.

To qualify as a Durable Power of Attorney the document must have specific language which states that you intend for the authority of the Durable Power of Attorney to continue while you are legally incapacitated. Such language is required by Missouri law. This is also what makes it "durable" and what differentiates it from a regular Power of Attorney. You must be legally competent to sign either form of Power of Attorney.

A Durable Power of Attorney can begin when you sign it or it can be triggered into affect at a later date, or under certain circumstances as stated by you. If it takes affect at a later date or at the time of your stated circumstance, it's called a "springing" Power of Attorney; it springs into affect later.