With the COVID-19 outbreak in the forefront of everyone’s mind, many parents have begun to ask themselves the following question: “what if I get sick?” This doesn’t just apply to the coronavirus either, and the possibility of illness or disability is always present. 

For married couples, they can often count on the other partner to shoulder the burden in the case that something happens. But what if both parents fall ill? Or what about in those cases where the other parent is not available or can’t be depended on? 

Life has a knack for presenting us with uncertainty, which is where legal tools such as power of attorney can help. Today, we’re discussing how power of attorney helps you protect and care for your loved ones if you ever find yourself in a position where you can’t care for them yourself.

What are the Benefits of Power of Attorney?

In simple terms, power of attorney (POA) gives ar person the legal authority to make important decisions on behalf of another person such as a child. This can include decisions involving schooling, medical care, and more. 

Another major benefit of assigning POA is that it helps ensure that your children don’t go through the state’s foster care system if something unexpected were to happen. Furthermore, unlike a guardianship, POA doesn’t require as much court oversight. This means that the ill or incapacitated parents retain a higher level of “control” when using a POA to assign a temporary guardian. 

Assigning a Temporary Guardian via Power of Attorney

A temporary guardian can be designated when granting POA.This guardian can step in to take care of your child while you are incapacitated. The temporary guardian can also fulfill all of your parental and custodial relationships in cases where custody is split. 

Consult with a Qualified Family Law Attorney to Learn More

We hope this overview helped shed some insight on why it’s important to think about and establish POA as needed, especially during the unprecedented circumstances we face. If you want to take the next steps towards establishing POA, or if you want to consult with a legal professional to explore your options during these trying times, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the White Oak Law. 

Call us at 925-271-0999 today to schedule a initial consultation!