Popular culture has thrown the phrase “power of attorney” around to comedic effect in the past few decades and, in its pursuit of humor, has given some of those among the general public who hear this phrase the impression that someone who is granted this legalese-styled authority can routinely perform tasks anywhere from representing another person in a court of law all the way to selling away another person’s organs, both at their own discretion and with legal impunity. But, of course, even acknowledging the gulf between the joke and the actuality, misconceptions still abound. When it comes to Powers of Attorney in Illinois, what parts are fact and what parts are fiction? The average person is only likely to encounter a power of attorney in property law, specifically real estate transfers or estate planning, rather than in an everyday or random capacity. And, even then, the abilities and responsibilities… read more →
