Power of Attorney in Florida: Why Everyone Over 18 Needs One (Yes, Even You)

Pop quiz: What happens if you get in a car accident and can’t access your bank account, pay rent, or approve medical treatment?

If you’re over 18 and don’t have the right legal documents in place, the answer is: no one can step in for you. Yup. Not your mom, not your best friend, and sometimes not even your spouse.

That’s why every adult in Florida (yes, even college students) should have a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and a Health Care Surrogate.

What Is a Durable Power of Attorney?

A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you (the Principal) appoint someone you trust to handle your finances and assets if you become unable to. This person (your Agent) can:

• Pay bills

• Access bank accounts

• Sign legal documents

• Manage real estate

• Handle insurance matters

  
  

“Durable” means it stays in effect even if you become incapacitated.

 What Is a Health Care Surrogate?

A Health Care Surrogate is someone you choose to make medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. It's like a Power of Attorney but for your medical decisions. Your Surrogate can:

• Talk to your doctors

• Review medical records

• Approve or decline treatment

• Make end-of-life decisions based on your wishes

  
  

Without one, your loved ones might have to go to court just to get permission to help, which can be especially hard in an emergency.

But I’m Healthy… Do I Really Need This?

Yes! And here’s why. You don’t need to be old or sick for something unexpected to happen, like:

• Car accidents

• Sudden illness

• Mental health emergencies

• Surgery complications

• Traveling abroad

  
  

Having and Agent and Surrogate lined up means your loved ones can act quickly if life throws a curveball.

Real-Life Examples

• Your college-aged child is in an accident. You can’t access their medical info or bank account without DPOA and health care forms.

• You get sick while traveling, and your spouse needs to pay bills and talk to doctors back home. (Sometimes a spouse can step in, but not in all instances, especially if you have separate accounts.)

• A routine surgery goes sideways, and your partner needs authority to handle your affairs.

  
  

These documents aren’t just for the elderly, they’re for everyone who wants peace of mind.

What’s the Process in Florida?

Creating a DPOA or Designation of Health Care Surrogate in Florida isn’t complicated, but it needs to be done right to be legally valid.

Requirements include:

• Proper notarization and witnesses

• Specific powers spelled out and initialed in the document

• Using updated language that complies with Florida Statutes

  
  

Some online templates aren’t Florida-compliant and that can create issues when it matters most.

Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Be “Old” to Plan Ahead

Being a grown-up means having your bases covered, and that includes choosing who can help you when you need it most. It’s quick, it’s affordable, it saves your family stress and confusion.

Need help setting it up?👋 We’ll walk you through it! No judgment, no pressure. Just compassionate guidance and clear planning.