Powers of Attorney

The article explains that a spouse generally needs a signed HIPAA authorization to discuss a patient’s medical information, including billing issues, with health care providers or insurance companies.

A durable power of attorney must be signed while a person still has the mental capacity to authorize someone else to manage their financial affairs.

Once a child turns 18, parents may need a Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, and HIPAA authorization to access financial or medical information and help during an emergency.

This article explains that a durable power of attorney covers specified business, financial, and legal transactions during incapacity, while a medical power of attorney authorizes health care decisions.

The article offers guidance for discussing elderly parents’ finances, emergency planning, and essential estate-planning documents, including a Will and powers of attorney.

The article explains how spouses can prepare for death or incapacity by sharing financial information, organizing account details, and jointly managing household finances.

This article explains how to revoke a durable power of attorney in Texas, including the different considerations when it has been used or recorded in court records.

In Texas, a durable power of attorney must be written, signed by an adult, name an agent, address the principal’s disability, and be notarized, but witnesses are not required.

A durable power of attorney generally does not need to be filed to be effective, except when an agent will conduct a real estate transaction for the principal.