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Step 1
Choose a trusted family member or a close trusted friend to act on your behalf if you cannot make financial decisions for yourself. Giving a person a financial power of attorney allows them make those important decisions for you, even if you have a living will completed. Make sure this person is mentally sound enough to make the decisions that you yourself would make if you had the capacity.
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Step 2
Ask that chosen person to be your financial power of attorney. Explain to them that it is only for emergency purposes, only when you cannot make those decisions. It is important, as this person will be making make decisions with your money, bank accounts and even your property.
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Step 3
Visit your attorney and have him or her draw up the financial power of attorney for that person. Supply that attorney with the name, address and other contact information for the chosen person, as this is a legal document. Once you have the legal documents, you need to place a copy of this important paper in your documents, give one to your primary care physician as well as send a copy to the person you have chosen to be your power of attorney.
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Step 4
Place your copy of this power of attorney in a safe place, either a fireproof filing cabinet or a safety deposit box. This will alert the authorities to contact your attorney who will then contact your power of attorney should a financial needs arise that you cannot handle.
