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Powers of Attorney & Health Care Planning in Long Beach, California
Your estate plan should reflect the life you've built—and continue to evolve as your life changes.
A durable power of attorney lets someone you choose manage your finances and legal affairs if you become unable to. An advance health care directive lets someone you choose make medical decisions for you and tells your doctors what care you do and don't want. Together, these incapacity documents keep your family out of California conservatorship court and give them the authority to help you when you need it most.
At Lungu Law Group, we prepare these documents as part of every estate plan and as standalone planning for clients who need them now.
Planning for life, not just for death
Most people think of estate planning as what happens after they die. But statistically, you're far more likely to go through a period of incapacity first: an accident, a surgery, a stroke, a diagnosis, or simply the effects of aging.
When that happens, your spouse cannot automatically sign for you. Your adult children cannot automatically talk to your doctors. Your business partner cannot automatically access your accounts. Without the right documents in place, your family's only option is to ask a California court to appoint a conservator, a process that is public, expensive, slow, and stressful at exactly the wrong time.
Incapacity planning is how you decide, in advance and in writing, who steps in and what they're allowed to do.
Incapacity planning is how you decide, in advance and in writing, who steps in and what they're allowed to do.
Who Needs These Documents?
Parents and spouses
Who assume their family can act for them. They can't, without paperwork.
First responders and high-risk work
Families who need clear authority quickly if an injury happens on the job: someone who can talk to the hospital, sign for the mortgage, and pick up the kids that same day, without waiting for a court.
Business owners
Whose companies need someone authorized to sign, pay employees, and keep the doors open.
adults with aging parents
Who want to make sure Mom and Dad have their documents in order before a crisis.
young adults heading to college
Once your child turns 18 you have no legal right to their medical information or decisions without these documents.
single adults
With no obvious "default" person the law would look to.
The documents we prepare
Durable power of attorney for finances
Names an agent to manage your bank accounts, pay bills, handle real estate, file taxes, run your business, and deal with insurance, retirement accounts, and government benefits. "Durable" means it remains effective if you become incapacitated. We'll discuss whether yours should take effect immediately or only upon incapacity, and we draft it so banks and institutions will actually honor it.
advance health care directive
California's version of a living will and medical power of attorney in one document. It names your health care agent, sets out your wishes for life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and end-of-life care, and can address organ donation and funeral instructions. We help you think through the decisions so your agent isn't left guessing.
HIPAA Authorization
Federal privacy law prevents doctors from sharing your medical information, even with your spouse or children, without written permission. This document ensures the people you choose can get information and speak with your care team.
Nomination of conservator
If a court proceeding ever becomes necessary despite your planning, this tells the judge who you want, and who you don't.
for parents of minor children
temporary guardian nomination
If you're hospitalized or unreachable, this ensures a trusted adult can care for your children immediately, without a gap where authorities or a court decide.
California specific considerations
statutory forms vs custom documents
California publishes a statutory power of attorney form and a standard advance directive. They're better than nothing, but they're generic. Financial institutions sometimes reject them, and they don't address business interests, real estate, trust funding, digital assets, or the specific limits you may want. We draft documents built for your situation.
Powers of attorney and your trust must work together
Your trust's successor trustee manages assets inside the trust; your financial agent handles everything outside it. If these roles or documents conflict, your family gets stuck. We coordinate them.
Conservatorship in california
California is a court proceeding with ongoing court supervision, attorney involvement, and public filings. It can take months to establish and continues for the rest of the conservatee's life. Good incapacity documents usually make it unnecessary.
Documents age
Some institutions are reluctant to honor a power of attorney that's many years old. We review yours at your three-year check-in and recommend refreshing when appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
A power of attorney covers money and legal matters. An advance health care directive covers medical decisions and your treatment wishes. You need both, and they can name the same person or different people.
No. Marriage does not give your spouse authority to manage your separate accounts, sign documents on your behalf, or make many medical decisions without written authorization. A durable power of attorney and advance directive give them that authority.
That's your choice. It can be effective immediately upon signing, or "springing," meaning it takes effect only when a physician confirms you're incapacitated. We'll talk through the tradeoffs; each has practical advantages depending on your family and your comfort level.
Yes. You can name co-agents or, more commonly, a primary agent with one or more successors. We generally recommend naming at least one backup for each role.
Yes. Your trust only controls assets titled in the trust's name. Retirement accounts, some insurance, and anything not yet transferred are outside it. And a trust says nothing about your medical care. Powers of attorney and a health care directive fill those gaps.
Make sure the right people can act for you
Whether you need a complete plan or just these documents, we'll help you get them right.