Power of Attorney Attorney in Long Beach, CA
Name someone you trust to handle finances, property, and decisions if you cannot. Serving Long Beach and surrounding communities.
What a Power of Attorney Is
A power of attorney (POA) lets you name someone to act for you if you cannot act for yourself. They can pay your bills, manage your accounts, sell your property, and handle business matters. Without one, your family has to go to court to get a conservatorship — which is expensive, slow, and invasive.
Every California adult should have a durable power of attorney. It is one of the simplest and most valuable documents in an estate plan. Yet most people do not have one until something goes wrong.
What We Handle
- Durable financial powers of attorney
- Limited (special) powers of attorney for specific transactions
- Springing powers of attorney that activate only on incapacity
- Revocation of old or unwanted powers of attorney
- Coordination with living trusts and healthcare directives
- Reviews and updates after life changes
California Power of Attorney Rules
California has a statutory power of attorney form but most attorneys use a customized document for broader protection. The POA must be signed, dated, and either notarized or witnessed by two adults who are not the agent. We always notarize — it is cleaner and more widely accepted.
“Durable” means the POA stays in effect even if you become incapacitated. Without the durable provision, your POA ends the moment you lose capacity — exactly when you need it most. Every California POA we draft is durable unless you specifically want otherwise.
California also allows springing powers of attorney — they only kick in when a doctor certifies you are incapacitated. Some clients prefer this for privacy. Others prefer a POA that is active immediately. We walk through the trade-offs during the consultation.
Who Should Have a Power of Attorney
Every adult needs one. But some situations make it urgent:
- Older adults worried about future incapacity
- Anyone facing surgery or a serious diagnosis
- Business owners who need continuity if they are out of commission
- Single adults with no spouse or immediate family nearby
- Anyone who wants to avoid a California conservatorship
Our Process
Step 1: Free Consultation
Talk to an attorney about who to name, what powers to grant, and when they activate.
Step 2: Draft the POA
We draft a durable power of attorney tailored to your situation under California law.
Step 3: Sign & Notarize
Sign and notarize the POA so it is ready when — and only if — you ever need it.
Power of Attorney Questions
Someone you trust completely. Most people choose a spouse, adult child, or close sibling. Pick someone who will act in your best interest and who lives close enough to help when needed.
It depends on how it is drafted. An immediate POA takes effect as soon as you sign. A springing POA only activates when a doctor certifies you are incapacitated.
Yes. You can revoke a POA at any time while you are competent. We recommend doing it in writing and giving notice to anyone who has relied on the old POA.
Your family has to petition the California probate court for a conservatorship. It takes months, costs thousands in legal fees, and creates public records about your private life.
No. A financial POA covers money and property. For medical decisions, you need a healthcare directive — a separate document we usually draft at the same time.
Request a Free Consultation
Tell us about your situation. We will respond within one business day to set up your free consultation.