| If you have children or dependents that rely on you for | | | | When you've designated a decision-maker, he/she |
| personal or financial care then you need to file a | | | | may be called upon to make critical decisions such as |
| power of attorney. If you were to become seriously | | | | questions about life support, ventilators, feeding tubes, |
| injured or ill then your power of attorney will carry out | | | | and other treatments and diagnostic procedures. Most |
| your wishes even though you may not be able to | | | | people choose someone who they can trust to make |
| communicate those wishes yourself. It will save your | | | | like-minded, right decisions. |
| loved ones from trying to make critical medical | | | | In a power of attorney you can also designate |
| decisions, or try to maintain your estate themselves for | | | | someone to handle your finances if you're ever unable |
| you. | | | | to manage them on your own. You don't have to be |
| New Jersey, like anywhere else in the U.S., recognizes | | | | seriously injured to have your designated person start |
| a power of attorney as a legal document that will | | | | doing things for you such as business transactions, |
| allow you to appoint some one to carry out your | | | | paying your bills for you, and other financial work you |
| wishes in a certain event or situation. A power of | | | | want someone to do in your name. Sometimes |
| attorney is much like a living will, except a living will can't | | | | someone with Alzheimer will designate one of their |
| appoint some one to make decisions for you; only the | | | | children to help pay their bills on time in case they |
| decisions on your living will can be carried out. If you | | | | forget themselves to do so. |
| have a wife or husband you could designate him/her | | | | A power of attorney will help prepare you and your |
| as your power of attorney, or if you're a grandma or | | | | family in case of an emergency. Do yourself a favor |
| grandpa you may designate your son, it's completely | | | | and look into filing one for yourself. |
| up to you. | | | | |