What is the difference between a will and a power of attorney?

A will and a power of attorney are two legal documents used in California for estate planning. The primary difference between the two is that a will only becomes effective after the person creating the will passes away, whereas a power of attorney can be used while the person is still living. A will is a legal document that states how a person wants their estate to be divided upon their death. This includes distributing their property, possessions, money, and other assets. A will is binding upon the death of the person who created it and can only be changed if they have the legal authority to do so. A power of attorney is a legal document that grants somebody else the power to act on someone else’s behalf in financial and legal matters. This is usually done prior to the person’s death in case they become incapacitated and are unable to manage their own affairs. A power of attorney usually has the authority to make decisions and take actions on behalf of the person who granted the power of attorney. Since both a will and a power of attorney are used in estate planning, they both have their own important roles to play. A will is necessary to ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out after death, while a power of attorney is important for providing help and assistance to them while they are still living.

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What is the difference between a will and a power of attorney?

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