Life is unpredictable. Illness, injury, or being out of town can leave you unable to manage your financial or medical affairs. A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most effective legal tools for planning ahead. In Tennessee, a POA allows you to appoint someone you trust to handle important decisions on your behalf—ensuring that your affairs continue smoothly even if you cannot act for yourself.
At Champagne Law Firm, with offices in Sevierville, Nashville, and Rogersville, we help clients across East and Middle Tennessee create customized powers of attorney that meet personal, financial, and medical needs.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document where one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on their behalf. In Tennessee, POAs are governed by the Tennessee Uniform Power of Attorney Act (T.C.A. § 34-6-101 et seq.).
There are several types of POAs:
- Durable Power of Attorney – Remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated.
- General Power of Attorney – Broad powers to manage financial and legal affairs.
- Limited or Special Power of Attorney – Grants authority for specific tasks or within a set time frame.
- Healthcare Power of Attorney – Authorizes an agent to make medical decisions if you are unable to do so.
Why You Need a Power of Attorney
Without a valid POA in place, your loved ones may have to go through court procedures, such as guardianship or conservatorship, to gain authority to manage your affairs a process that can be slow, expensive, and stressful. With a POA, you can:
- Ensure your finances and property are managed without interruption.
- Designate someone you trust to make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated.
- Avoid full guardianship or conservatorship proceedings.
- Give peace of mind to both you and your family.
Common Uses for POAs in Tennessee
- Financial Management – Paying bills, managing investments, or selling property.
- Business Operations – Permitting someone to act on your behalf if you are unavailable.
- Healthcare Decisions – Ensuring your medical wishes are followed if you cannot communicate them.
- Real Estate Transactions – Allowing an agent to sign deeds or closing documents if you are out of town.
Choosing the Right Agent
Selecting the agent is perhaps the most important decision. This person should be:
- Trustworthy and responsible
- Familiar with your values and wishes
- Willing to act in your best interest
- Capable of managing financial or medical responsibilities
How Champagne Law Firm Can Help
At Champagne Law Firm, our Sevierville power of attorney lawyers help you:
- Draft durable, limited, or healthcare POAs tailored to your situation
- Ensure all documents comply with Tennessee law and are properly executed
- Coordinate POAs with estate planning documents (wills, trusts) when needed
- Explain the powers, duties, risks, and protections for both principal and agent
We serve clients throughout East and Middle Tennessee including Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Morristown, Dandridge, Jefferson City, Newport, Maryville, and Townsend.
Contact Us
A Power of Attorney is more than just a document it’s a safeguard for your future. Don’t wait until a crisis to put the right protections in place.
Contact Champagne Law Firm today at 865-228-8080 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation with a Sevierville power of attorney lawyer.
