Protect Your Interests With A Georgia Power of Attorney
Last updated on October 15, 2026
You worked hard to build your assets, provide for your family and create financial security. But what happens if illness or injury leaves you unable to manage your affairs? A power of attorney lets you choose someone to act on your behalf, giving you a say in who manages your finances and property if your circumstances change.
At Hodges Law Firm, LLC, founding lawyer Russell Hodges focuses on estate planning and asset protection, helping individuals, families and business owners protect what they worked hard to build. With more than 30 years of experience, he works with clients in Cumming and North Georgia to develop plans that reflect their wishes, protect their assets and prepare for the future.
What Types Of Power Of Attorney Can You Choose?
Choosing a power of attorney starts with deciding who you trust to act on your behalf and what responsibilities you want that person to handle. In Georgia, financial and health care planning use separate legal documents:
- Financial power of attorney: Authorizes an agent to handle financial and property matters within the scope you grant, such as paying bills, managing accounts or handling real estate. A financial power of attorney generally takes effect when you execute it, unless the document specifies a later date or triggering event.
- Advance directive for healthcare: Lets you name a healthcare agent to make medical decisions when authorized under Georgia law and record your preferences for future care.
Choosing the right documents can help you plan for both your finances and your health care.
What Are The Limitations Of A Power Of Attorney?
A power of attorney does not give your agent unlimited control over your affairs. Georgia law requires an agent to act in good faith, follow your known reasonable expectations or act in your best interest and stay within the authority you grant. Your agent also faces specific limits:
- Cannot make or revoke your will: A financial power of attorney does not grant this authority.
- Needs express authorization for certain actions: Making gifts, changing beneficiary designations and creating or changing rights of survivorship require specific authority under Georgia law, subject to other applicable restrictions.
- Cannot exceed the authority granted: Your agent may only take actions that your document permits under applicable law.
- Cannot continue acting under the financial POA after your death: The authority generally ends when you die.
A health care directive may grant an agent limited authority after your death, such as making certain decisions about organ donation or the disposition of your body. Careful drafting can help define these boundaries and protect your estate plan.
How Can Hodges Law Firm, LLC, Help With Your Power Of Attorney?
A power of attorney should reflect your wishes, the assets you want to protect and the responsibilities you are comfortable giving another person. At Hodges Law Firm, LLC, we can prepare a power of attorney that defines your agent’s authority, review or revise existing documents as your needs change and discuss revocation or replacement if your agent fails to follow your instructions. We can also consider how the document fits into your broader estate plan.
Protect Your Assets And Put Your Wishes In Writing
A carefully prepared power of attorney can help you decide who may manage your affairs and what authority that person will have. Putting those decisions in writing now can give you greater control over your future and provide clearer direction for your loved ones. Contact Hodges Law Firm, LLC, to discuss your circumstances and the steps you can take to protect your interests.
Call 678-608-1746 or send us an email to schedule a confidential consultation.