Power of Attorney - Consideration must be given to the possibility that someone may have to act for you or a family member in the event of disability by illness or injury. A durable power of attorney allows an individual to appoint someone else to act for that individual in the event he or she becomes unable to make certain decisions because of mental or physical incapacity. A "durable" power of attorney continues indefinitely until revoked and survives incapacity. We recommend that all adults have both a financial power of attorney and a medical power of attorney. Serious consideration should be given to issues concerning whether life-sustaining procedures will be utilized if a person's condition is terminal, irreversible and incurable. A medical decision maker can be given guidelines for making those decisions -- whether to refuse life support or to use all efforts to sustain life. A discussion with an attorney of the possible circumstances and applications of powers of attorney is helpful in determining what legal documents are appropriate.