Power of Attorney in Jacksonville, FL

Estate Planning That Connects to Your Full Financial Picture

A power of attorney is one of the most frequently needed documents in any estate plan, yet it’s often the last thing people get around to drafting. At Hedstrom Law, P.A., we work with clients throughout Jacksonville to put this document in place before it’s urgently needed. Our practice spans estate planning, trusts, probate, and real estate law, so we can connect your power of attorney to the full picture of your financial and property affairs rather than treating it as a standalone form.

We offer evening and weekend consultations for Jacksonville clients who can’t step away during the workday. Every client works directly with our attorneys and takes an active role in shaping their own planning decisions.

If you need a power of attorney and aren’t sure where to start, call us at (386) 200-6547 or reach out through our website to schedule a consultation at a time that works for you.

What Happens Without a Power of Attorney

If you become incapacitated without a valid power of attorney in place, your family can’t simply step in and manage your financial or medical affairs. They’d have to petition a court for guardianship, a process that takes time, costs money, and may result in a court appointing someone other than the person you would have chosen. A properly drafted power of attorney can help keep decision-making authority with a person you select, without court involvement.

A power of attorney also serves purposes beyond incapacity planning. It’s commonly used for real estate closings when the principal can’t attend in person, for managing financial accounts during extended travel, and for authorizing an agent to handle specific transactions on a principal’s behalf.

Types of Power of Attorney in Florida

Florida law recognizes several types of power of attorney, and the right choice depends on your circumstances and goals.

Durable Power of Attorney
This document grants broad financial and legal authority and remains in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated. Under current Florida law, all powers of attorney take effect immediately upon signing. Florida eliminated springing powers of attorney in 2011, so there’s no option to create a POA that activates only upon incapacity.

General Power of Attorney
A general power of attorney grants wide financial authority but becomes invalid upon the principal’s incapacity unless it includes a durability clause. For most incapacity planning purposes, a durable power of attorney is often the more appropriate choice.

Limited Power of Attorney
A limited power of attorney restricts the agent’s authority to a specific transaction or time period, such as a single real estate closing. It’s a practical tool when the principal needs someone to act on their behalf for one defined purpose.

Designation of Health Care Surrogate
Florida doesn’t recognize a standalone medical power of attorney. The equivalent document is a designation of health care surrogate, which authorizes a trusted person to make healthcare decisions when the principal is unable to do so. This document is often paired with a living will as part of the advance directives portion of a Florida estate plan.

Florida’s Requirements Under Chapter 709

Florida Chapter 709 Part II governs all powers of attorney in the state. Meeting its requirements isn’t optional: a POA that doesn’t comply with Florida’s execution standards may not be accepted by banks, healthcare providers, or courts.

• The principal must sign in the physical presence of two adult witnesses
• The principal, both witnesses, and the notary must all be present at the same time
• The document must be notarized; a POA without proper witnessing or notarization isn’t valid in Florida
• An agent may only exercise authority specifically granted in the document; significant powers such as gifting or creating trusts must be expressly listed
• In Duval County, most POAs aren’t filed with the clerk’s office, but real estate-related POAs must be recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Why Jacksonville Clients Work With Hedstrom Law, P.A.

Our practice covers estate planning, real estate law, trusts, and probate. These areas regularly intersect with power of attorney planning. When a client with property interests in Jacksonville needs a power of attorney, we can address that document in the context of their broader financial picture rather than in isolation.

We offer evening and weekend availability, so scheduling doesn’t require rearranging your week. Our attorneys communicate directly and clearly, and we help clients understand their options before any decisions are made.

How the Process Works

We start with a consultation to understand your personal, financial, and family circumstances and identify the right type of power of attorney for your situation. From there, we draft a document tailored to your needs, walk you through it, answer your questions, and guide you through formal execution that meets Florida’s witnessing and notarization requirements. We also advise on safe storage of the original and how to distribute copies to your agent and any relevant financial institutions or healthcare providers.

Power of Attorney as Part of a Complete Estate Plan

A durable power of attorney is most effective when coordinated with your other planning documents. It governs decisions during your lifetime and terminates at death, at which point your will or trust controls disposition of your estate. For clients who haven’t yet drafted a will, a power of attorney is often a practical first step and a natural entry point into the broader planning process.

Because Hedstrom Law, P.A. handles estate planning, trusts, and probate, we can address your full planning picture in one relationship. If your circumstances call for a revocable living trust, a designation of health care surrogate, or a living will alongside your power of attorney, we can help you build a plan that covers each of those pieces.

Start Your Power of Attorney Planning Today

Don’t wait for a health event or a real estate deadline to prompt this conversation. We work with Jacksonville clients on schedules that fit their lives, including evenings and weekends. Reach out to discuss your situation, ask questions, and find out which documents belong in your plan.

Call Hedstrom Law, P.A. at (386) 200-6547 or contact us through our website to schedule a consultation.