A durable power of attorney is effective only while you are alive. A Property Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone (called an agent or attorney-in-fact) to manage your assets. If you become incapacitated, you will want to have a Power of Attorney in place so that the person that you chose will be the one handling your affairs. Without a Power of Attorney, a court proceeding may be necessary to have you declared incompetent and the Court appoints a Curator to manage your affairs, in a procedure called an Interdiction.

A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an Agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. With a copy of the Power of Attorney, the Agent can take the actions specified in the document.