This authority usually includes handling of your banking transactions, purchasing and disposing properties, settling claims, exercising stock rights, entering into deals or contracts, filing tax returns, and buying life insurance. It is usually used to enable your appointed agent the power to handle your important transactions within a specified period when you are practically unable to do them personally. Springing - This legal document is created in such a way that it takes effect only after the principal has become mentally disabled. When writing the document, one has to make sure that it clearly explains how to determine the occurrence of the springing event. You may also consider using separate powers of attorney to designate another person who will be responsible for your health care and finances. The attorney-in-fact who is given the durable power of attorney is required to make decisions related to the principal s health like stopping life support or performing surgery. Laws on how the power of attorney should be created are different on each state. For example, in South Carolina, the preparation for the power of attorney is the same as preparing for a will. Laws on creating the power of attorney are different on each state. But almost all of the laws agree that no agent should be below 18 or 21 years old. Time. When choosing the best agent to represent you, then it may be important to consider the amount of time they can spend on managing financial and legal matters. One of the requirements in most states is that an agent should be of sound mind to be able to make the right decisions when it comes to the finances, properties, or health of his or her principal. Creating a power of attorney gives you an assurance that nothing will go wrong with your assets and finances and that your wishes will be carried out just as you planned. The agent can even sign documents on behalf of the principal. This agent is allowed to handle all the principal s finances except the assets owned by the revocable living trust. Examples of assets outside the living trust include pension plans, annuities, and IRAs (individual retirement accounts). These assets are managed by the attorney-in-fact designated by the principal who owns the assets.