Doctors and hospitals can share protected health information with the people you list in your powers of attorney and medical directives. Without these documents, even your closest loved ones may struggle to get updates or copies of records.
Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives in Florida, so your family can act with confidence
Planning is not only about who inherits your assets; it is also about who can act for you when you cannot. Florida powers of attorney and properly drafted medical directives allow trusted individuals to manage your finances, communicate with doctors, and handle important matters without court involvement.
At Smith Will & Trust, we design Florida powers of attorney that are clear, legally compliant, and ready to use when your family needs them most. These essential tools work alongside your estate planning, trust planning, and probate and trust administration documents to form a complete, reliable plan for life’s unexpected moments. Learn more about how our Estate Planning & Trust Services protect both your independence and your legacy.
What these documents actually do, in plain English
Durable Power of Attorney, financial decisions
A Florida power of attorney allows you to name an agent to handle money and legal tasks if you become unable to do so yourself, or immediately if you prefer. Think banking, paying bills, signing tax returns, dealing with insurance, managing a business interest, or selling property. Your agent is a fiduciary, which means duties of loyalty and care. Properly drafted powers of attorney and medical directives also ensure trusted individuals can manage your finances, communicate with doctors, and handle important matters without court involvement.
Health Care Surrogate, medical decisions
Florida powers of attorney allow you to name an agent to handle money and legal tasks if you become unable to do so yourself, or immediately if you prefer. Think banking, paying bills, signing tax returns, dealing with insurance, managing a business interest, or selling property. Your agent is a fiduciary, which means duties of loyalty and care. Properly drafted powers of attorney and medical directives also ensure trusted individuals can manage your finances, communicate with doctors, and handle important matters without court involvement. Learn more about how these documents fit into your complete Estate Planning & Trust Services plan.
Living Will, end-of-life guidance
You say what you want if you are in a persistent vegetative state, have a terminal condition, or have an end-stage condition. Your powers of attorney and medical directives give your medical team and your family clear direction instead of disagreement.
HIPAA Authorization, access to information
Why Florida formalities matter at signing time
Florida treats these documents seriously. Powers of attorney and health care directives must meet specific state requirements for signatures and witnessing. Some banks and hospitals also require particular language or formatting before they will act.
For additional guidance, the Florida Bar’s guide on Powers of Attorney offers an overview of these formalities under state law. At Smith Will & Trust, we handle the details for you, conducting a proper signing ceremony with witnesses and a notary, confirming identification, and preparing the correct number of originals. Your future self will thank you for the extra care.
Durable power of attorney, how to make it actually useful
- Scope your powers clearly. A Florida power of attorney can include authority over banking, tax, real estate, digital assets, and retirement accounts so your agent can act effectively.
- Name backups. If your first choice is unavailable, a successor agent can step in without delay and keep your estate plan running smoothly.
- Coordinate with your revocable trust. When your plan is trust-based, the trustee manages trust assets while your agent handles non-trust property, ensuring full coverage across your plan.
- Keep a paper trail. We provide a quick-use guide, sample letters, and an agent acceptance page so your financial institutions can process transactions with confidence.
- Guard against abuse. We can limit gifts, require a second signature for large transactions, or divide duties between two trusted agents to ensure accountability and protection.
How we make this easy
Listen and map :
We ask who you trust, who should have copies, and what you are worried about.
Design the plan :
We tailor the powers, outline medical preferences, and set clean rules for money movement and information sharing.
Draft in plain English:
You receive an easy summary, then the full documents for review.
Sign correctly :
We arrange witnesses and a notary, then prepare certified copies where needed.
Distribute and store :
We provide ready to share PDFs, instructions for your patient portal, and optional wallet cards for quick reference.
Keep it current:
We suggest a quick review when doctors change, when you move, or every few years.
Health care surrogate and living will, what families really need
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Practical, not theoretical. We write directions your family can follow in a real hospital, including who speaks first, who is copied on updates, and what happens if decision-makers disagree.
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Clarity for doctors. We include permission to access records, speak with staff, and receive copies, together with your preferences on life support and pain management. See the Florida Bar’s guide on living wills, health-care surrogates, and advance directives for more details.
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Respect for your values. Religious views, organ-donation choices, and comfort-measure preferences are included where you want them.
Common mistakes, and how we prevent them
- Documents signed but not shared. We give you digital and paper packets for your agent, your primary care office, and your favorite hospital.
- Old forms that banks reject. Some financial firms refuse outdated or vague powers. We keep language current and we help you pre clear with your most important institutions.
- No backups named. Life happens. We add clear successor language and contact details.
- Conflicts with your will or trust. We coordinate beneficiary designations, deed language, and trustee powers so everything works together.
- No guidance for your agent. We include an agent checklist, record keeping tips, and a short list of red flags that should trigger a call to us.
Who we help
Parents who travel for work, caregivers for aging parents, blended families, retirees who want order instead of surprise, business owners who want continuity, and anyone who values clear powers of attorney and practical planning over crisis.
What to bring to your consult
- The names and cell numbers of your preferred agent and backups
- Any hospital or provider you want on file
- A short list of accounts or properties that may require quick action
- Any existing will, trust, or health documents
- Your top three priorities
Where we meet, and how to reach us
We proudly serve clients throughout the Greater Tampa Bay area. Our Tampa office is centrally located for families and businesses in Brandon, Riverview, and SouthShore.
Use the interactive Google Map to find our location and explore nearby areas we serve. Each pin marks an active service region where our estate planning and trust services are available both in person and virtually.
- Tampa Office: 4830 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 600, Tampa, FL 33609
FAQs
Does a durable power of attorney take effect right away
It can, or it can be drafted to require your incapacity. Most clients choose immediate effectiveness because banks and title companies prefer it, and it avoids proof problems in emergencies.
Can I name more than one agent
Yes. You can name co agents who must act together, or you can allow either to act alone. We will explain the tradeoffs so you can choose a structure that fits your family.
Do hospitals honor a health care surrogate form from another state
Often yes if it was valid where it was signed, but we still recommend Florida specific documents once you live here. It reduces questions at the worst time.
What if my spouse and my adult child disagree
Your document decides who has priority. You can also require consultation or joint consent for certain decisions. We can tailor the instructions to your family dynamic.
If I already have a trust, do I still need a power of attorney
Yes. Your trustee controls trust assets. A power of attorney covers non trust assets and legal tasks in your individual name.