Chisolm Trimble & Associates, LLC

A Power of Attorney is one of the most important — and most overlooked — legal documents an adult can have. Here is what it is and why you should not wait to create one. What Is a Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes another person (called the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or medical matters. The person granting the authority is called the principal. Types of Powers of Attorney A general POA covers broad financial and legal decisions. A limited POA covers specific transactions. A durable POA remains in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated — making it especially important for long-term planning. A healthcare POA (or healthcare proxy) authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. Why You Need One Now If you become incapacitated without a POA in place, your loved ones may have to go to court to obtain guardianship or conservatorship over you — a process that is expensive, time-consuming, and public. A properly drafted POA prevents that. Choosing Your Agent Wisely Your agent will have significant power over your affairs, so choose someone you trust completely — someone who is responsible, organized, and willing to act in your best interest even under difficult circumstances.

Adoption is a life-changing legal process that permanently establishes a parent-child relationship. But what happens to the biological parents' rights? Here is how it works in Georgia. Termination of Parental Rights Is Required Before an adoption can be finalized, the biological parents' rights must be legally terminated. This can happen voluntarily — through a consent to adoption — or involuntarily, if a court finds that termination is in the child's best interest. Voluntary Termination A biological parent can consent to the adoption of their child. In Georgia, this consent cannot be given until after the child is born, and there are strict rules about when and how consent can be revoked. Involuntary Termination If a parent abandons a child, is found unfit due to abuse or neglect, or has failed to support the child financially, a court may terminate their parental rights without their consent. This is a serious legal step that requires clear and convincing evidence. Stepparent Adoption One of the most common types of adoption in Georgia is stepparent adoption. If your spouse has been a consistent parental figure for your child and the other biological parent is absent or willing to consent, stepparent adoption can formalize that relationship legally.