A durable power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes a person you choose to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. In Florida, "durable" means the document remains in effect even during incapacity — which is precisely when it's needed most. Without one in place, no one — including a spouse or adult child — has automatic authority to access accounts, pay bills, or handle legal matters on your behalf.

In Florida, if an adult becomes incapacitated without legal authority documents in place — no durable power of attorney, no healthcare surrogate designation — family members cannot automatically make financial or medical decisions on their behalf. Court-supervised guardianship becomes the path forward, and it is slow, expensive, and takes control out of the family's hands.

Some life events quietly make your estate plan wrong. Here's a practical Florida guide to knowing when your documents need a review — and what to check.