A power of attorney means peace of mind to a lot of people. What they don't know is that there are several different types of powers of attorney and if you don't have the right one it can put you and/or your family at significant risk depending upon your particular set of circumstances. An attorney can give you the details of each type of power of attorney and how they work in your state but here's a quick description of the three most common.

The Most Common Powers of Attorney

• The Universal Power of Attorney allows one or more people to act on your behalf for any reason at any time.

• The Limited Power of Attorney specifies under what set of circumstances or during what period of time someone is allowed to act on your behalf for certain activities. As an example, it can give someone the authority to act on your behalf for all of your financial affairs in the event of your illness or incapacitation.

• The Specific Power of Attorney usually gives someone authorization to act on your behalf for one specific undertaking like authorizing someone else to sign the closing documents when you buy or sell a house.

Beware of the Universal Power of Attorney

So, why is it important for you to know what types of powers of attorney there are and the benefits and risks of each? The answer is that most of us use only the Universal Power of Attorney; thinking that we are protecting ourselves because we lack the awareness of all of the available options. Many people don't realize a Universal Power of Attorney gives nearly unlimited power to the holder of this document. It gives that person the legal ability to at any time and for any reason access your medical records; withdraw funds from your bank or investment accounts; sign a contract in your name to buy or sell securities, real estate, an automobile or boat; take out a loan and on and on.

Limited Power of Attorney

A Limited Power of Attorney is an option for designated activities that kicks in only in the event of illness or incapacitation (which is valid as long as a doctor continues to certify the illness or incapacitation) or during a specific span of time. These limits reduce your exposure to possible excesses or bad judgments by those who hold your limited power of attorney.

Using Different Powers of Attorney for Maximum Flexibility

Another thing to consider when designing a legal backup system that will come to your aid when the unexpected happens is whether it is a good idea to overburden any one person with all of the responsibilities of keeping your life afloat until you are able to once again take control of it yourself. The person best suited to oversee your financial and small business matters may not be the best person to care for your pets, children or household. Consider that it would be overwhelming for one person to have to take care of all facets of someone else's life for any period of time. Making separate authorizations naming several different friends or family members to undertake the various responsibilities of your life protects you more thoroughly.

Knowledge is Power

It is equally important that you provide those you have entrusted to act on your behalf in times of emergency or crisis with the information and instructions necessary for them to know how to help you. So, no matter how many authorizations or powers of attorney you may have put into place, you need to make sure that those who hold your powers of attorney know what you want and expect – from your business needs to the running of your household. If you don't do this, it would be like hiring a builder but not giving him the plans for the house you want to build.

This process sounds daunting but it can actually be very easy and inexpensive with resources like those offered at http://livingsmartguides.com

Whatever tools you select to enable others to give you the help you need in a crunch, don't delay putting these protections into place so you're better prepared for whatever lies ahead.