The Right Power of Attorney Can Protect Your Family When It Matters Most
Powers of attorney are among the most important documents a family can have in place — and among the most misunderstood. At Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock, we help Lake County and Porter County residents understand exactly what these documents do, choose the right type for their situation, and get everything properly drafted before a crisis forces the issue.
Estate Planning
Not All Powers of Attorney Work the Same Way
The term "power of attorney" covers several distinct legal documents, and signing the wrong one — or none at all — can leave your family without the authority to act when they need it most. Here is what you need to know about the most common types.
A standard power of attorney gives someone the legal authority to act on your behalf for financial or legal matters. It is useful for specific transactions, but it terminates automatically if you become incapacitated. That limitation is exactly the problem most families are trying to solve.
A durable power of attorney remains valid even if the principal loses the capacity to make decisions. It is the document most people actually need when they are planning for aging, illness, or long-term incapacity — and it is the one that gets overlooked until a family member is already in crisis.
A limited or special power of attorney grants authority over a single transaction or a defined category of decisions. It expires when that purpose is fulfilled.
Indiana Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions
A durable financial power of attorney allows your designated agent to manage bank accounts, pay bills, handle real estate transactions, file taxes, and make other financial decisions on your behalf. In Indiana, the document must meet specific execution requirements to be legally valid.
This is the document that keeps your household running if you are hospitalized, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to manage your own affairs. Without it, your family may need to pursue a court-supervised guardianship to gain the same authority — a process that is slower, more expensive, and more stressful than simply having the document in place.
We draft Indiana durable powers of attorney that are clear, properly executed, and built to hold up when institutions and third parties are asked to honor them.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Directives
A healthcare power of attorney designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself. It is a separate document from a financial POA, and both are worth having.
We also draft advance directives, sometimes called living wills, which allow you to record your preferences for end-of-life care in writing. These documents work alongside a healthcare POA to give your family and medical providers clear guidance, reducing the burden on loved ones at an already difficult time.
Indiana law governs how these documents must be structured and signed to be enforceable. We make sure yours meets every requirement.
When Families Come to Us for Powers of Attorney
Planning Ahead for an Aging Parent
Many clients come to us because a parent is getting older and the family wants to get documents in place before something happens. This is the right time to act. A durable POA drafted now — while the principal is healthy and legally competent — is straightforward. Waiting until a health crisis occurs can complicate or eliminate the option entirely.
Something Has Already Happened
When a family member has just been hospitalized or received a serious diagnosis, the urgency is real. We handle time-sensitive estate and elder law matters and can move quickly to draft and execute documents when the situation calls for it. If you are in this position right now, call us directly.
Unsure Whether Your Existing Documents Are Sufficient
If you already have a power of attorney but are not certain it covers what you need it to cover, we can review it. Standard powers of attorney that terminate on incapacity are a common problem — clients believe they have protection they do not actually have. We will tell you plainly what your document does and whether it needs to be updated.
Coordinating POA With a Broader Estate Plan
Powers of attorney work best as part of a complete plan. We routinely draft them alongside wills, trusts, and guardianship documents so that every piece of your family's plan fits together. If you are starting from scratch or updating an older plan, we can help you think through the full picture.
Why Families in Northwest Indiana Work With Our Firm
We are local attorneys who live and practice in this community — not a regional call center or a satellite office staffed by rotating associates. When you call Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock, you speak directly with an attorney, not a paralegal intake coordinator.
Our team brings nearly 100 years of combined legal experience across estate planning, family law, and related practice areas. We offer free consultations across all practice areas, including estate planning, so you can get real answers before you decide whether to move forward.
- Durable financial and healthcare POAs drafted to Indiana's legal requirements
- Advance directives and living wills prepared alongside healthcare POAs
- Review and revision of existing powers of attorney
- Estate planning documents coordinated as a complete package
- Free initial consultation — no obligation to retain
- Direct access to attorneys from your first call
Frequently Asked Questions About Powers of Attorney in Indiana
What is the difference between a durable and a standard power of attorney in Indiana?
A standard power of attorney terminates automatically if the person who granted it becomes incapacitated. A durable power of attorney remains in effect even if the principal loses capacity — which is why it is the document most families actually need for aging or illness planning. We explain both options during your consultation and recommend the type that fits your situation.Can a power of attorney be set up for someone who is already ill or in the hospital?
It depends on whether the person still has legal capacity to execute a document. As long as the principal can understand what they are signing and what authority they are granting, a POA can typically be drafted and executed. We handle urgent situations and can move quickly when time is a factor. Call us directly if you are dealing with an immediate need.Do I need both a financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney?
They serve different purposes, so yes — most people benefit from having both. A financial POA covers bank accounts, bills, real estate, and other financial matters. A healthcare POA addresses medical decisions. Neither document covers the other's territory, and having only one in place can leave significant gaps in your family's ability to act on your behalf.Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Indiana?
Indiana law requires powers of attorney to meet specific execution requirements, which typically include signing in front of a notary. The exact requirements depend on the type of document. We handle the execution process as part of drafting your documents, so you do not need to figure out the formalities on your own.
Get Your Power of Attorney Documents in Place Today
The right time to draft these documents is before they are needed. Once a family member loses capacity, the window closes — and the alternative is a court proceeding that takes time and money your family may not have. A free consultation takes an hour. The protection it puts in place lasts a lifetime.
Our attorneys serve clients throughout Lake County and Porter County, Indiana, including Dyer, St. John, Merrillville, Valparaiso, and the surrounding communities. Call 219-339-4174 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.