In Indian Hill, estate planning is more than just a legal task—it’s an intentional act of stewardship. This legacy-minded community is home to families, professionals, and retirees who value privacy, dignity, and long-term security. Whether you're preserving generational wealth, managing a business, or simply safeguarding your independence, having the right legal tools in place is essential.
One of the most critical components of any estate plan is a Power of Attorney (POA). This document allows you to appoint someone you trust to act on your behalf if you’re ever unable to make decisions due to illness, accident, or age-related incapacity. It ensures that your voice is heard—even when you can’t speak for yourself—and that your affairs are managed by someone who understands your wishes and priorities.
Life is unpredictable. Medical emergencies, travel, or cognitive decline can all create situations where quick, informed decisions must be made about your finances, your healthcare, or your business. Without a valid Power of Attorney, your loved ones may be forced to go through lengthy and costly court proceedings just to step in and help.
A well-drafted POA allows you to:
With a Power of Attorney in place, you can rest easy knowing that your affairs will be handled with care, even if you're unable to manage them yourself.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone else—the agent or attorney-in-fact—the authority to act on your behalf in personal, financial, or healthcare matters. Under Ohio law, this arrangement allows you, as the principal, to proactively appoint someone you trust to make decisions if you are unable or unavailable to do so yourself.
Powers of Attorney can be broad or limited in scope, temporary or long-term, and are a key element of any thoughtful estate or incapacity plan.
The person you designate in your Power of Attorney—your agent—has the legal right to manage affairs on your behalf, according to the permissions you grant in the document. Depending on the type of POA, this authority may include:
Your agent must always act in your best interest and follow any specific instructions you provide. In Ohio, agents have a fiduciary duty to act honestly, responsibly, and within the scope of their authority.
Power of Attorney documents are a foundational part of a complete estate plan—especially in communities like Indian Hill, where individuals often manage complex financial lives, legacy goals, and long-term care considerations.
By creating a POA while you are still healthy and mentally capable, you:
Without a valid POA in place, your family may need to pursue guardianship or conservatorship through the probate court—an often stressful and time-consuming legal process.
A Durable Power of Attorney allows your chosen agent to manage your financial and legal affairs—even if you become incapacitated. This is one of the most common and important estate planning documents, as it helps avoid guardianship proceedings in the event of serious illness or cognitive decline.
It typically covers:
“Durable” means the POA remains valid even after you can no longer make decisions for yourself.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney designates someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so.
Your agent can:
This document is often paired with a living will to provide additional clarity about your wishes for end-of-life care.
A Limited Power of Attorney gives your agent the authority to act on your behalf in very specific situations or for a defined time period.
Examples include:
Once the task is complete or the timeframe expires, the authority ends automatically.
A Springing Power of Attorney becomes effective only if you become incapacitated, based on criteria you set—such as certification by a physician.
While this may appeal to clients who want to maintain full control while healthy, it can delay urgent decisions due to the verification requirements. It’s important to weigh these pros and cons with your attorney.
A General Power of Attorney grants broad authority to your agent over financial and legal matters—but it ends immediately if you become incapacitated.
This type is typically used for temporary delegation of authority, such as when you're traveling or temporarily unavailable. It’s not ideal for long-term incapacity planning.
Under Ohio law, your agent must be:
You can appoint almost anyone—spouse, adult child, sibling, friend, or professional fiduciary. However, your agent should be someone who understands your values, is capable of managing your affairs, and will respect your wishes even under pressure.
Not all trustworthy individuals make good agents. Before making your decision, consider:
Choosing someone emotionally and mentally equipped to handle these responsibilities is critical—especially when major financial or medical decisions are involved.
It’s also wise to:
At KBH, we help you build in these safeguards and contingencies, so your plan remains effective regardless of future changes.
In families where tensions exist—or where multiple children or relatives are involved—choosing an agent can feel delicate. You may worry about hurt feelings, disagreements, or future conflicts.
We offer neutral, confidential advice to help you:
For many Indian Hill families, our role includes not only legal planning but preserving harmony and legacy.
Protect your future and ease the burden on your loved ones by putting the right Power of Attorney in place today. Whether you're planning for long-term care, managing complex assets, or simply preparing for the unexpected, Keller, Barrett & Higgins is here to help.
We guide Indian Hill clients through the process of creating clear, customized POA documents that reflect their goals, honor their values, and ensure trusted individuals are empowered to act when it matters most.
📞 Call us today at (513) 351-6058 📩 Or contact us online to schedule your private consultation with an estate planning attorney who understands the unique needs of Indian Hill families.
Plan ahead—because peace of mind starts with preparation.