Powers of Attorney & Living Wills

Power of Attorney & Living Will Lawyer in Westmoreland County PA

Life is unpredictable. A well-prepared estate plan doesn’t just plan for what happens after death — it ensures you and your family are protected if you become unable to make decisions during your lifetime. At Ally Legal Services, we help clients throughout Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania prepare legally enforceable powers of attorney and living wills (advance health care directives). These documents ensure your finances, health care, and personal affairs are managed according to your wishes if you cannot act for yourself.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf. In Pennsylvania, there are several types of POAs:

• Financial Power of Attorney – manage banking, bills, investments, and property

• Health Care Power of Attorney – make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated

• Durable Power of Attorney – remains valid even if you become incapacitated

• Limited or Special Power of Attorney – grants authority for a specific task or period

Creating a valid POA in Westmoreland County requires careful drafting to comply with Pennsylvania law and to avoid abuse or misuse of authority.

Living Wills & Advance Health Care Directives

A Living Will (also known as an advance directive) allows you to clearly state your medical treatment preferences if you cannot communicate them yourself. Common issues addressed include:

• Life-sustaining treatment preferences

• Pain management and comfort care

• Organ donation decisions

• End-of-life care instructions

With a living will, you can take the burden of difficult decisions off your loved ones and ensure doctors respect your choices.

Why These Documents Are Essential for Pennsylvania Families

Without a power of attorney or living will:

• Family members may need to petition the Westmoreland County Orphans’ Court for guardianship, a time-consuming and costly process.

• Your medical care could be delayed while courts decide who can act for you.

• Disagreements among relatives may lead to unnecessary conflict.

Local, Experienced Guidance

Our office regularly prepares POAs and living wills for clients in Greensburg, Latrobe, North Huntingdon, Murrysville, and throughout Westmoreland County. By working with a local attorney, you get documents that meet Pennsylvania’s strict statutory requirements while being customized to your personal situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Powers of Attorney & Living Wills

• Can I download a POA form online and fill it out myself?

Short Answer: You could, but many of those forms don’t meet Pennsylvania’s legal standards. An invalid or vague POA can cause major problems in the future.

• Who should I name as my agent?

Short Answer: Choose someone you trust completely, who understands your values and will act in your best interests. Many people choose a spouse, adult child, or close friend.

• Do I need both a Power of Attorney and a Living Will?

Short Answer: Yes. A POA gives someone authority to act for you, while a Living Will makes your treatment preferences legally enforceable. Both protect you in different but complementary ways.

• Can I change or revoke these documents?

Short Answer: Absolutely. As long as you are competent, you can revoke or update your POA or Living Will at any time.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to have these critical documents in place. Contact Ally Legal Services today for a consultation on Powers of Attorney and Living Wills in Westmoreland County, PA. Protect your family, your wishes, and your peace of mind.