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Saint Charles Estate Lawyers: Protect Yourself With A Power Of Attorney

Last updated on October 14, 2025

Any comprehensive estate plan should include a power of attorney. In Missouri, a power of attorney allows you to select a trusted person to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated by illness or injury. At The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, our estate planning lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience providing legal guidance to clients in Saint Charles and the surrounding communities. We help you evaluate your needs and customize your estate plan to reflect your wishes.

What Is A Power Of Attorney?

A power of attorney, often called a POA, is a binding legal document where you formally authorize someone else to act on your behalf. This authorization gives your chosen agent the legal ability to handle your financial, business or health care matters when you cannot. If you become incapacitated without a power of attorney, a court might have to appoint a guardian or conservator to manage your affairs.

What Are The Different Types Of Powers Of Attorney?

There are many different types and kinds of powers of attorney. Each is designed for a specific purpose. Some of these include:

  • Durable power of attorney: This document remains legally valid even if you become mentally or physically incapacitated.
  • Nondurable power of attorney: This document ends immediately if you become incapacitated, which is why we rarely recommend it for Saint Charles estate planning.
  • Springing power of attorney: This document only takes effect when a specific event occurs, such as a doctor confirming your mental incapacitation.
  • General power of attorney: This grants your agent broad authority to manage all your financial and legal affairs.
  • Limited power of attorney: This grants your agent authority only over specific tasks or assets, such as selling one piece of property.
  • Medical power of attorney: This lets your agent make medical decisions for you if you cannot communicate your wishes yourself.

As part of preparing a comprehensive estate plan, our Saint Charles estate planning attorneys will help you evaluate your goals and understand the different options.

How Should You Choose Who Gets To Have A Power Of Attorney?

Choosing your agent and who you would like to act on your behalf is an important decision. It is critical to choose someone who is trustworthy. Often, clients choose a close relative. We always encourage you to pick someone with good judgment and who can handle responsibility impartially. It should be someone who is willing to put your best interests first, even if family dynamics create pressure. Having the right Saint Charles power of attorney lawyer to guide this choice helps you avoid family disputes and potential financial abuse down the road.

Speak With A Saint Charles Power Of Attorney Lawyer For Free

At The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, our Saint Charles estate lawyers offer free 30-minute consultations. To schedule your appointment, you can call us at 636-260-2515. You can also send us a message through our website.

For your convenience, we offer flexible evening and weekend appointments. We also accept credit cards for payment and, if necessary, provide a Spanish interpreter.