A Financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you cannot do so yourself. For residents of Mid-City and surrounding areas, having a clear, well-drafted financial power of attorney can help ensure bills are paid, accounts are managed, and financial decisions reflect your wishes. This guide explains what a financial power of attorney does, how it works in California, when to consider creating one, and how the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman can help you plan to protect your finances and loved ones while maintaining control over your assets.
Many people delay addressing financial planning because it feels complicated, but a properly prepared financial power of attorney simplifies future decision-making and reduces stress for families. In California, the document must meet certain formalities to be effective; these include clear language regarding scope and authority, proper signatures, and sometimes notarization. This page provides practical information about the types of powers available, ways to limit or expand authority, and common scenarios where a financial agent acts on a principal’s behalf. We also outline steps to create, amend, or revoke a financial power of attorney tailored to your needs.
A financial power of attorney provides a legal mechanism to designate a trusted person to manage your monetary matters should you be unable to act. Benefits include continuity in bill payments, access to bank accounts for monthly obligations, management of investments, and the ability to address urgent financial issues without court intervention. It also helps avoid the delays and public processes associated with guardianship proceedings in California. Thoughtful drafting can limit authority to specific tasks or allow broad decision-making, giving you control over how and when your agent may act while protecting your financial wellbeing and simplifying estate administration when necessary.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman has a longstanding commitment to helping California families create practical estate planning documents, including financial powers of attorney and related instruments. We provide clear, client-focused guidance on drafting documents that reflect each client’s priorities, while explaining legal requirements and potential pitfalls. Our approach emphasizes communication, responsiveness, and tailored solutions for people in Mid-City and across the state. We guide clients through selecting appropriate agents, setting boundaries, and coordinating powers of attorney with trusts, wills, and health care directives so plans work together smoothly and protect what matters most.
A financial power of attorney is a foundational legal tool for managing assets and financial responsibilities. In California it can be durable, meaning it remains effective if the principal becomes incapacitated, or springing, becoming effective upon a defined event. The document identifies the agent, describes the agent’s powers, and may include limitations or instructions on how to act. Because financial matters vary greatly, a thoughtful document can address banking, real estate transactions, tax filings, and retirement accounts while providing safeguards such as recordkeeping requirements or co-agent provisions to increase accountability and protect the principal’s interests.
Choosing the right scope and timing for a power of attorney requires balancing flexibility and protection. A broadly drafted durable financial power of attorney allows the agent to respond quickly to changing circumstances, but a more limited grant can preserve oversight for sensitive decisions. California law imposes fiduciary duties on agents, requiring them to act in the principal’s best interests, keep accurate records, and avoid conflicts. Regular review and coordination with other planning documents, like trusts or wills, ensures the financial power of attorney remains aligned with current assets, family dynamics, and changing laws so it functions as intended when needed.
A financial power of attorney is a legal instrument that authorizes a designated agent to make financial decisions on behalf of the principal. It can cover day-to-day financial tasks such as paying bills and managing bank accounts, as well as larger actions like buying or selling property, managing investments, and filing taxes. The document should clearly list the powers granted, whether those powers are broad or limited, and any instructions the principal wants the agent to follow. Properly drafted language helps ensure financial affairs continue uninterrupted and reduces the need for court-supervised guardianship if the principal becomes unable to act independently.
Creating an effective financial power of attorney involves identifying who will serve as agent, specifying the powers to be granted, and choosing whether the authority is immediate or conditional. Additional elements include successor agents to step in if the primary agent cannot serve, clear instructions about recordkeeping, and any restrictions or safeguards desired. The principal should sign the document in accordance with California requirements, which may include notarization and witness statements for certain forms. After execution, it is important to distribute copies to financial institutions, trusted family members, and advisors, and to periodically review the document for continued relevance.
Understanding the terminology associated with financial powers of attorney helps you make informed decisions. Terms like durable, agent, principal, and fiduciary describe roles and legal effects. Knowing the difference between immediate versus springing authority and recognizing terms related to successor agents and limits on power will aid in crafting a document suited to your needs. The glossary entries below define common vocabulary in plain language so you can feel confident when discussing options, selecting an agent, and coordinating the power of attorney with other planning tools such as trusts, wills, and healthcare directives.
A durable power of attorney remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated, allowing the agent to continue managing financial matters when the principal cannot act. The durability feature is typically included by using specific language in the document stating that the power survives the principal’s incapacity. This continuity can prevent the need for court-appointed guardianship and provides trusted management of bills, accounts, and transactions. Selecting an agent and documenting any limitations or instructions will help ensure the durable power of attorney functions as intended while preserving the principal’s preferences and protecting assets during times of incapacity.
An agent acting under a financial power of attorney has legal duties to the principal that include acting in the principal’s best interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, and keeping accurate records of actions taken. These fiduciary obligations require transparency, prudent management of assets, and clear documentation of transactions. In California, the law sets out duties and remedies if an agent breaches those responsibilities. Including instructions about reporting and oversight in the document can provide additional accountability and peace of mind for the principal and family members who rely on the agent’s stewardship during difficult times.
A springing power of attorney becomes effective only upon the occurrence of a specified event, most often the principal’s incapacity, and may require a determination from a physician or other objective standard. While this approach offers additional control by limiting agent authority until activation conditions are met, it can create delays when immediate action is needed. It is important to define clear activation criteria and procedures to minimize ambiguity. Counseling about the advantages and pitfalls of springing arrangements helps ensure that the document aligns with the principal’s goals and that necessary access to funds is available when needed.
A successor agent is an alternate person designated to act if the primary agent is unwilling or unable to serve. Naming one or more successor agents provides continuity of representation and avoids gaps in financial management. Successor agents should be chosen with the same care as the primary agent, and the document should clearly state the order of succession and any conditions under which a successor steps in. This planning element adds resilience to the arrangement by ensuring someone trusted can assume responsibility without court involvement, reducing stress for families during transitions or unexpected events.
When considering a financial power of attorney, it is helpful to compare different approaches and related legal tools. Options include a broad durable power of attorney, a limited power of attorney for specific transactions, and a springing power of attorney that activates upon a specified event. Alternatives like trusts can provide ongoing management of assets without agent intervention in some contexts. Each option has trade-offs regarding immediacy of authority, oversight, and complexity. Evaluating how each choice fits within your overall estate plan and daily financial needs will help you select the most appropriate structure for your situation.
A limited financial power of attorney is often suitable when someone needs assistance with a specific matter for a defined period. Examples include authorizing a person to complete a real estate closing, manage a single bank account, or handle tax filings while the principal is travelling or temporarily unavailable. Because the authority is narrow and time-bound, this approach reduces concerns about broad financial control and can be tailored precisely to the task at hand. Clear language about the scope and expiration of the authority helps avoid misunderstandings and protects both the principal and the appointed agent.
A limited agreement can permit trusted individuals to assist with specified duties like paying monthly bills or accessing a particular account without giving them ongoing access to all assets. This is often desirable for people who want help with routine tasks but prefer to maintain wider control over their finances. Including express limitations, reporting requirements, and an expiration date provides safeguards. This option balances practical assistance with protection, enabling necessary transactions while minimizing the potential for overreach or confusion about the agent’s role after the limited period ends.
A comprehensive approach coordinates a financial power of attorney with trusts, wills, and healthcare directives so the full plan functions smoothly. When documents are aligned, agents and trustees have consistent instructions and access, reducing conflict and confusion among family members. Comprehensive planning also ensures beneficiary designations, account titling, and retirement plan arrangements support the intended outcome. This integrated perspective helps avoid unintended consequences such as overlapping authority or gaps in decision-making and provides clarity for those who will manage financial or personal matters on your behalf.
When a person has diverse assets, business interests, or special planning goals, a comprehensive strategy ensures financial authority is structured to handle complex situations. This includes thoughtful selection of agents, tailored powers for business transactions, and mechanisms for oversight when significant assets are involved. Comprehensive planning can incorporate retirement plans, property held in multiple states, and protections for vulnerable beneficiaries. By considering the full picture and anticipating future scenarios, a well-coordinated plan reduces the likelihood of disputes and helps ensure continuity in financial management over time.
A comprehensive planning approach enhances clarity, reduces the likelihood of disputes, and helps ensure decisions reflect the principal’s intentions. By coordinating powers of attorney with wills, trusts, and health directives, families have a cohesive roadmap for handling finances and personal matters. This coordination makes transitions smoother, minimizes interruptions in bill payments and asset management, and provides instructions for handling unusual or high-value transactions. With thoughtful planning, agents and family members can act promptly and confidently while following the principal’s wishes and maintaining accurate records.
Comprehensive planning also strengthens safeguards through successor agent designations, reporting expectations, and limitations tailored to protect the principal’s assets and relationships. Document review and updates ensure the plan reflects current circumstances, helping prevent conflicts over account access or beneficiary designations. A holistic view can identify opportunities to simplify administration, such as consolidating accounts or clarifying titling, which reduces administrative burdens. Overall, a well-coordinated plan offers practical benefits in day-to-day management and long-term stewardship of assets for the benefit of you and your family.
One major advantage of a comprehensive plan is the ability to avoid court proceedings that may be required when no agent is authorized to act. Properly executed financial powers of attorney and related documents enable immediate, legally recognized decision-making without needing a conservatorship. This saves time and expense, allows trusted people to respond to urgent financial needs, and preserves privacy that would otherwise be lost in a public court process. Clear instructions and restricted authorities where desired can also reduce friction among family members and make transitions more predictable and manageable.
A coordinated estate plan offers families reassurance that someone trusted will manage essential financial matters according to the principal’s wishes. Having documents in place reduces uncertainty during stressful moments and preserves resources that might be needed for care or household expenses. Clear delegation of responsibilities, combined with regular reviews and accessible copies of key documents, helps family members act decisively and responsibly. The resulting clarity helps protect relationships and ensures that decisions affecting assets and daily life are handled with consistency and respect for the principal’s priorities.
Selecting the right person to act on your behalf is one of the most important decisions in creating a financial power of attorney. Consider trustworthiness, availability, financial temperament, and willingness to serve. Naming one or more successor agents ensures continuity if the primary agent cannot act. Discuss your expectations and instructions in advance to minimize misunderstandings. Also consider naming an agent who lives nearby or is comfortable handling interjurisdictional issues if you have accounts in multiple states. Clear communication and documentation of your wishes will make the agent’s role more effective when it matters most.
Make sure the financial power of attorney is consistent with your will, trust, and healthcare directives. Review beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust provisions to avoid conflicts and ensure seamless administration. Regularly review these documents when significant life changes occur, such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or changes in assets. Coordination reduces the potential for disputes and ensures the agents and trustees operate under the same expectations about managing accounts, distributing assets, and carrying out your intentions over the long term.
Individuals create financial powers of attorney for many reasons, including preparing for potential incapacity, enabling family members to handle everyday bill paying, and allowing trusted people to manage investments or real estate transactions. Professionals and frequent travelers often designate agents to act during extended absences. Those with aging parents often put documents in place to avoid delays in paying for care or managing medical-related finances. Taking proactive steps provides continuity in financial management and reduces the emotional and logistical burdens families often face during crises or periods of diminished capacity.
Another reason to consider this service is to ensure someone can quickly access accounts to maintain household stability, prevent lapses in insurance, and meet tax obligations. Small business owners and people with complex portfolios benefit from having a legal delegate who can act without court approval, helping preserve value and business continuity. A financial power of attorney also makes it easier to coordinate financial affairs with caregivers and other professionals while maintaining appropriate oversight. When carefully drafted, the document helps protect assets and provides clear procedures for handling financial matters when the principal cannot act.
Circumstances that commonly prompt the creation of a financial power of attorney include aging, illness, planned travel, long-term absence for work, or preparing for a major life event like surgery or a move. Families dealing with cognitive decline or sudden medical emergencies find that a designated agent can quickly pay bills, access accounts, and handle immediate financial tasks that protect credit and assets. Business owners and those with out-of-state property also benefit from having clear authority in place to manage transactions and respond to urgent financial matters without delay or court involvement.
When you expect to be temporarily unavailable due to surgery or extended travel, a financial power of attorney ensures someone you trust can manage routine financial obligations and address urgent matters. This arrangement allows for uninterrupted payment of bills, mortgage or rent obligations, and other essential transactions. It also covers the possibility of unexpected complications arising during the planned absence, so finances remain stable and accounts are monitored. Advance planning lets you specify the scope of authority to keep the arrangement limited and consistent with your preferences.
Families caring for aging parents often create financial powers of attorney to ensure bills are paid, assets are protected, and financial affairs are managed in accordance with the parent’s wishes. As cognitive and physical abilities change, an agent can coordinate with medical providers, financial institutions, and caregivers to maintain household stability. Naming a successor agent and including reporting requirements can provide family members with reassurances that financial decisions follow established guidance and that there is structure to support ongoing oversight and accountability.
Business owners, individuals with investment portfolios, or those with property in multiple jurisdictions benefit from having a financial power of attorney that allows a trusted person to act quickly on transactions that preserve value. The document can authorize sale or management of business interests, signing tax and legal forms, and dealing with unforeseen events that require prompt action. Clear drafting helps protect business continuity and minimizes losses, while naming appropriate successor agents provides a fallback if primary agents are unavailable for any reason.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves residents of Mid-City and the greater Los Angeles County area with practical estate planning services focused on preserving financial control and simplifying transitions. We assist clients in creating durable and limited financial powers of attorney, naming agents and successors, and coordinating documents with wills, trusts, and healthcare directives. Our goal is to provide clear options and implement plans that protect assets while reducing family stress. We offer guidance on document execution, distribution of copies, and ongoing maintenance so your plan remains effective over time.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for careful, practical planning and clear communication about legal options. We focus on helping people make informed choices about agents, powers, and safeguards that align with personal circumstances. Our process emphasizes listening to your priorities, explaining legal effects in plain language, and producing documents that work in real life. Whether you need a straightforward limited authorization or a durable power of attorney coordinated with a trust, we guide you through decisions and ensure documents reflect your intentions while meeting California requirements.
We also help clients identify steps to minimize potential disputes and coordinate their power of attorney with other important documents. That includes reviewing account titling, beneficiary designations, and trust provisions so there are no unintended conflicts. Our firm provides practical recommendations about agent selection, successor designations, and oversight measures that protect both the principal and those who will manage finances. We aim to reduce complexity and create plans that are easy to use when circumstances change, saving time and stress for families when they need it most.
Finally, after documents are prepared we assist with notarization and distribution of copies to financial institutions and advisors as requested, and we offer ongoing review services to update documents after major life events. Our commitment is to provide dependable planning and straightforward answers to questions about how powers of attorney operate, how they interact with trust and estate plans, and what practical steps to take to keep documents current. We serve clients in Mid-City and across California with attention to detail and personalized service.
Our process begins with a conversation to understand your assets, family dynamics, and goals for financial decision-making. We explain the differences between durable, limited, and springing powers and recommend language that reflects your intent. After discussing agent selection and safeguards, we draft the document for your review, incorporate any desired limitations or reporting requirements, and coordinate execution with notarization if needed. We then provide guidance on distributing copies and integrating the document with your broader estate plan so your financial affairs are protected and accessible when required.
During the initial consultation we gather information about your assets, accounts, and any immediate concerns you wish to address. We discuss who you are considering as agent and successor agents and whether you prefer immediate, durable, or springing authority. This meeting helps clarify goals and allows us to recommend protective measures such as co-agents, reporting requirements, or limitations on certain types of transactions. The result is a tailored plan and a clear outline of next steps to draft a document that meets California’s legal standards and your personal priorities.
We talk through candidate qualities for agents and the practicalities of authority, including what tasks the agent should be able to perform and any restrictions you want to impose. This includes whether the agent can access safe deposit boxes, handle real estate closings, or manage retirement accounts. Identifying the scope upfront ensures the document reflects the balance between giving useful authority and preserving oversight. We recommend naming successor agents and discussing communication expectations among family members and advisors to minimize surprises when the document is activated.
Part of preparing a comprehensive document is reviewing your existing estate planning materials and account titles. We assess whether a power of attorney will interact with a trust, will, or beneficiary designations, and advise on any changes needed to avoid conflicts. Reviewing asset ownership and account access helps identify where agent authority will be needed and whether additional planning tools would be beneficial. This review reduces the likelihood of gaps or unintended outcomes and ensures that all documents work together smoothly when the time comes for someone to act on your behalf.
After gathering information, we prepare a draft financial power of attorney tailored to your instructions and California requirements. The draft includes named agents and successors, specified powers and limitations, and any oversight measures you requested. You will have the opportunity to review the document, suggest revisions, and ask questions to ensure the final language matches your intent. We revise as needed and explain practical implications of specific clauses so you feel confident about how the document will operate in real-world situations.
Drafting includes creating provisions that reflect any unique needs, such as restrictions on gifting authority, approval requirements for major transactions, or instructions about tax filings. We incorporate language to address recordkeeping and reporting expectations, and tailor successor agent clauses to ensure continuity. These custom provisions help balance the need for practical authority with safeguards to protect important financial decisions and the principal’s long-term interests, all while complying with California legal requirements.
Once the draft is complete, we walk through the document with you to confirm every provision aligns with your wishes. We explain potential scenarios, how the agent would proceed, and any steps needed to activate a springing authority if chosen. After your approval, we prepare the final form for signature and notarization. We also discuss distribution, storage of the original, and how to communicate the plan to those who will need to know, such as financial institutions, family members, and advisors.
The final step involves executing the document in accordance with California requirements, which may include notarization and witness signatures depending on the form. We provide guidance on where to file or store the original and recommend who should receive copies. After execution, periodic review is important to account for life changes such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or significant asset changes. We offer services to update documents and ensure the power of attorney remains effective and aligned with your estate planning goals over time.
We guide you through notarization and witnessing procedures so the document meets California standards and financial institutions will accept it. Proper execution reduces the risk that the authority will be challenged or that institutions will refuse to recognize agent actions. We provide information about acceptable notarization practices and advise on how to present the document to banks or other entities, including providing identification and supplemental documentation where necessary, to help ensure smooth implementation when the agent needs to act.
After execution, it is important to keep the document accessible and to revisit it after major life events. We recommend periodic reviews to confirm agents remain appropriate choices and that the scope still meets current needs. If changes are necessary, we assist with amendments or revocations and advise on communicating updates to financial institutions and family members. This ongoing maintenance preserves the integrity of your plan and ensures the document continues to serve its intended purpose as circumstances evolve.
A durable financial power of attorney takes effect immediately upon signing and remains valid if you become incapacitated, allowing your agent to manage finances without court intervention. A springing power of attorney becomes effective only upon the occurrence of a specified condition, commonly your incapacity, and may require evidence such as a physician’s statement. While a springing arrangement offers control over activation, it can delay access to funds when swift action is needed, so careful drafting of activation criteria is important to avoid ambiguity and ensure timely decision-making when situations arise. Choosing between these options depends on your goals and tolerance for administrative steps when authority must be activated. A durable form supports immediate backup while a springing form limits authority until a triggering event. Discussing your personal circumstances and potential scenarios with legal counsel helps determine which structure best balances access and control, and allows inclusion of practical activation procedures or safeguards to match your preferences and needs.
Selecting an agent involves assessing trustworthiness, financial judgment, availability, and willingness to serve. Many people choose a close family member or trusted friend, but it is important to consider whether that person lives nearby, has the ability to manage records, and can interact effectively with financial institutions. Naming successor agents provides continuity if the primary agent cannot serve, and discussing expectations upfront will reduce future misunderstandings about duties and boundaries. Consider also potential conflicts of interest and the agent’s ability to remain impartial in family situations. If no suitable individual is available, institutions like banks or private fiduciary services may be an option for certain matters, but those arrangements should be carefully evaluated for cost and practicality. Whatever you decide, documenting expectations and including oversight measures will help the arrangement function smoothly.
A financial power of attorney generally does not change your will or a trust’s terms; those documents govern testamentary dispositions and the distribution of assets at death. However, an agent may have the authority to manage assets during your lifetime, which can influence the practical handling of property while you are alive. It is important to coordinate the power of attorney with your will and any trusts so agents and trustees act consistently and there are no conflicting instructions regarding asset management or distributions. If you want to restrict an agent’s ability to make gifts or take actions that could alter intended distributions, include clear limitations in the document. Regularly reviewing beneficiary designations, trust provisions, and account ownership alongside powers of attorney ensures that all documents align with your estate planning goals and reduce the risk of unintended changes to your legacy.
You can include safeguards such as specifying reporting requirements, limiting certain powers like gifting, naming co-agents or successor agents, and requiring the agent to provide periodic accountings to a trusted person. Language that restricts access to specific accounts or sets transaction thresholds for approvals serves to limit the scope of authority. Including clear instructions about recordkeeping and oversight can deter misuse and make it easier to detect any inappropriate behavior early on. California law also imposes duties on agents, and remedies exist if an agent breaches those duties. Discussing practical oversight plans with family and advisors and providing easily accessible documentation of preferences helps create transparency. When appropriate, including a provision that an agent requires co-signature for major transactions can add further protection while still allowing routine financial tasks to proceed.
Banks and financial institutions have their own procedures for accepting powers of attorney, and requirements can vary. Many banks will require an original or certified copy, proper notarization, and identification for the agent. Some institutions use their own forms or require specific language, so providing a recently executed document and contacting the institution in advance can reduce delays. Preparing a letter of instruction and copies for relevant institutions streamlines the process when the agent needs to act. In some cases, institutions may request additional documentation or refuse unfamiliar forms, which is why coordination before a crisis is beneficial. We can provide guidance on how to present the document and suggest ways to structure authority to increase acceptance, such as including clear notarization and witness statements and recommending that clients meet with their bank to confirm procedures in advance.
Yes, you can limit an agent’s authority to specific accounts, transactions, or types of decisions. The document can expressly permit only certain powers, such as paying mortgage payments, managing a particular investment account, or handling tax filings, while excluding others like gifting or business transfers. Clearly defining limits and including instructions about which accounts are covered will reduce ambiguity and enforce the principal’s preferences about how finances should be managed. When imposing limits, consider practical contingencies that might require broader access in emergencies and provide guidance for those situations. Including successor agents and short-term authorization provisions can address unexpected needs while retaining overall restrictions. Discussing these limits with family and advisors before execution helps ensure everyone understands the plan and reduces friction when the agent is called upon to act.
If an agent becomes unavailable or unwilling to serve, a properly drafted power of attorney will name successor agents who can step in without court involvement. Naming one or more successors provides a ready alternative and helps prevent gaps in financial management. If no successor is named or all named agents are unable to serve, it may become necessary to seek court appointment of a conservator, which can be time-consuming and public, highlighting the importance of including successor provisions in your planning. Regularly reviewing and updating the document ensures successor choices remain appropriate. If you anticipate that an agent’s circumstances may change, consider naming alternate successors or providing contingency plans within the document. Communicating your selections and expectations to successors ahead of time will ease transitions and help them understand their responsibilities if asked to serve.
California generally does not require recording a financial power of attorney with a government office, but certain transactions, such as real estate transfers, may require recording a power of attorney or a certification of trust in the county recorder’s office when dealing with property held in a trust. Recording requirements vary by county and the nature of the transaction, so it is important to confirm local practices where property or real estate transactions will occur. Consulting with counsel or the relevant recorder’s office can prevent surprises at closing. For most routine banking and financial tasks, providing the institution with a properly executed and notarized copy is sufficient. Nonetheless, for significant transactions like real estate conveyances, verifying whether recording or additional documentation is needed in the county where the property is located will help ensure the agent can complete the transaction smoothly.
Review your financial power of attorney periodically and after any major life change, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, serious illness, death of a named agent, or significant changes in assets or residence. Regular reviews help confirm that agent selections and the scope of authority continue to reflect your intentions and that any successor agents remain suitable. Laws and banking procedures also change over time, so periodic legal review ensures the document remains effective and enforceable under current standards. A common practice is to review documents every few years or when circumstances shift materially. During reviews, consider whether additional safeguards, updated instructions, or coordination with new estate planning documents are necessary. We assist clients in updating documents and recommending distribution and storage practices to maintain accessibility and clarity for agents and family members.
You may revoke a financial power of attorney at any time as long as you have capacity to do so. Revocation should be done in writing and communicated to the agent, successor agents, and any institutions that may rely on the previous document. Providing copies of the revocation to banks, investment firms, and other relevant parties helps prevent an agent from continuing to act under the prior authority. Keeping the executed revocation with your records and notifying family members will also reduce confusion. If the agent has already taken actions in reliance on the power of attorney, it may be necessary to inform affected parties promptly and to seek legal guidance about any steps required to address completed transactions. In cases where the principal’s capacity is in question, appropriate legal procedures may be needed to effect revocation, so timely consultation about the process helps ensure the revocation is recognized and effective.
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