The following are suggestions for what to do after you have executed your Power of Attorneys. These suggestions will allow for the documents to work best for you:
- Make sure your agent (any successor agents, if any) know where you keep the documents. Keep in mind that if no one knows the documents exist or where to find them, the documents may not be available to assist you. We recommend keeping them in a safe location. Please note that storing it in a safe deposit box may not be wise as your agent may not be able to access the safe deposit box without the power of attorney which is stored inside. Additionally, if an emergency arises, the bank may be closed and therefore the document would be inaccessible.
- You should consider furnishing a copy of your Health Care Power of Attorney to your agent and your primary care physician.
- Ensure that addresses and telephone numbers of your agents and successor agents, if any, are kept current. If something should happen, you want to ensure the agent can be contacted.
- It is a personal decision as to how much of your financial information you want to share with your agent while you are still able to handle your own finances. Certainly, if called to act, the more information the agent has the easier it will be to assist. We recommend advising your agent of where the information can be located if something should happen.
- You should periodically evaluate the powers of attorney. As financial, personal, or medical situations change, you should evaluate whether your current power of attorney documents continue to be appropriate.
- Lastly, if you, as Principal, ever suspect abuse by your agent, please contact your attorneys or the Illinois Department of Aging Elder Abuse Hot Line 1-866-800-1409.