POWER OF ATTORNEY – CONNECTICUT

The information provided on the 211 eLibrary is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice.

WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY? A power of attorney is a legal document by which one person, called the principal, gives another person, called his attorney-in-fact or agent, the power to perform specified acts on the principal's behalf.

WHAT DOES "DURABLE" MEAN? A durable power of attorney is intended to continue in force even if the individual later becomes legally "incapable". It remains effective until the individual dies or a court appoints a conservator.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE A POWER OF ATTORNEY? If you were to become unable to handle your own affairs, a Power of Attorney gives your agent the power to manage your financial affairs for you as you would prefer. If you became disabled, you might not be able to execute a Power of Attorney at that time. Under those circumstances, your spouse or your family might have to go to the Probate Court and seek appointment as a Conservator, with the power to manage your financial affairs.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS You should also have a durable power of attorney specifically for health care decisions, or some type advance directive addressing your wishes for your medical care. See the eLibrary document "Advance Directives" for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: A more detailed outline covering power of attorney can be found at Powers of Attorney in Connecticut on the CT Elder Law Web Site.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: Lawyer Referral Services

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SOURCES: Conn. General Assembly Office of Legislative Research Report 2002-R-0758;Connecticut Attorney General's Office: Your Rights to Make Health Care Decisions
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: April2009