Practical Law Presentations Putting a Legal House in Order Protecting Your Property If you become ill and unable to make decisions, who will manage your property and take care of those who depend on you? Who will decide what medical care you are to receive, or not receive? The law can help–if you plan ahead. Protecting Your Property joint ownership (particularly of joint bank accounts) is a simple and very convenient way to manage the income of an incapacitated person, when combined with direct deposit of the person's checks. durable power of attorney (DPA) is a written authorization for a person you name to act on your behalf for whatever purpose you spell out in the writing. The person you appoint is called the agent or attorney-in-fact. The agent does not have to be a lawyer. A power of attorney is durable only if it continues to operate and be legally valid even after your incapacity. A trust is a legal arrangement under which a person or institution, called the trustee, holds the title to your property for the benefit of some person or persons called the beneficiaries. You can set one up now and control it while you are healthy, and it continues in operation under a successor trustee if you become unable to manage your affairs. >>Putting a Legal House in Order Home >>Estate Planning >>What Is a Will? >>10 Things Estate Planning Can Do for You >>Preparing a Will >>Protecting Your Property >>Health-Care Advance Planning Reaching the Community Home | Practical Law Presentations Home