Three side-by-side photos of smiling older adults. On the left, a close-up of a woman with short gray hair leaning on a cane; in the middle, an older Black couple laughing together while holding a tennis racket outdoors; on the right, one gray-haired woman affectionately kisses another on the cheek as they share a warm moment over hot drinks.
Power of Planning: Your life, your decisions.

Life can change in an instant. Things like accidents or memory problems can happen without warning.

Make your Power of Attorney documents today. Advance planning means putting your wishes into writing and giving your loved ones clarity and peace of mind. Don't hesitate to make a  plan today. 

We know advance planning can be difficult to think about.  That’s why the Center for Disability & Elder Law and Illinois Legal Aid Online have partnered to guide you through it. 

What is a Power of Attorney? 

A Power of attorney is a legal document that lets you name someone you trust to make decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself. There are two kinds: 

  • Power of Attorney for Health Care – For medical care and end-of-life choices 

  • Power of Attorney for Property – For your finances, money, housing, and things like banking or Social Security 

Why should I make Powers of Attorney? Learn from their stories:
Man with short hair and goatee, wearing a short-sleeve button-up shirt with vertical blue, white, and lavender stripes, standing against a plain light background.
Federico's story
Meet Federico – After losing his wife, Federico realized his closest relatives were all living in a country he hadn’t called home in 30 years.
n/a
Smiling woman with curly hair pulled back, wearing a coral cardigan over a patterned floral top, standing against a plain light background.
Shirley's story
Meet Shirley – After being diagnosed with early-stage dementia, Shirley realized she needed to get her affairs in order.
n/a
Smiling woman with gray curly hair wearing glasses, a white blouse, and a bright yellow patterned jacket, standing against a plain light background.
Lisa's story
Meet Lisa – After a health scare that landed her in the hospital, Lisa realized she needed to name her partner as her official decision-maker.
n/a
Learn more about Powers of Attorney
Power of Attorney for Health Care - POA-HC
Power of Attorney for Property (and Finances) - POA-P
POA print out info sheet
CDEL and IDPH logo featured side by side.
Ready to make your Powers of Attorney?

 

You can make your Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Power of Attorney for Property (and Finances) using the Power of Planning program for free. 

HTML Button Generator

HTML Button Generator

This program creates Illinois specific Powers of Attorney documents according to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act Statutory Short Form requirements. 

What is this Power of Planning?

The Power of Planning is an online program that helps you take control of your future and make your power of attorney documents for free. 

Learn about your choices from experienced attorneys at the Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL). Listen to stories from people who took the Power of Planning into their own hands.

Choose an attorney or a participant story to start making your Powers of Attorney today. The legal information presented by each lawyer is the same.
Learn more about CDEL
-NONE-
What other Advance Planning steps can I take?

There are several ways to plan for your future independently. Learn more about advance planning tools you can use – even if you don’t have a trusted person to name as your agent. 

Free info sheet 

Fill out a profile about yourself and help people get to know you better: 

This is me: A personal guide to my care
-NONE-
Are you a caregiver?

Caring for someone you love is important, but it can be overwhelming at times. You don’t have to do it alone. 

Learn more about your role as a caregiver or Power of Attorney agent, how to support your loved one, and where to find support for yourself.

Free info sheet
-NONE-
Worried about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?

Diseases like Alzheimer’s and related dementias can affect memory and decision-making. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead while you’re still able to make your own decisions. Planning early means your wishes will still count, even if your health changes later on.  

 
Learn more about early warning signs, resources, and steps you can take today. 

Free info sheet
Three side-by-side photos of smiling older adults. On the left, a close-up of a woman with short gray hair leaning on a cane; in the middle, an older Black couple laughing together while holding a tennis racket outdoors; on the right, one gray-haired woman affectionately kisses another on the cheek as they share a warm moment over hot drinks.
Power of Planning: Your life, your decisions.

Life can change in an instant. Things like accidents or memory problems can happen without warning.

Make your Power of Attorney documents today. Advance planning means putting your wishes into writing and giving your loved ones clarity and peace of mind. Don't hesitate to make a  plan today. 

We know advance planning can be difficult to think about.  That’s why the Center for Disability & Elder Law and Illinois Legal Aid Online have partnered to guide you through it. 

What is a Power of Attorney? 

A Power of attorney is a legal document that lets you name someone you trust to make decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself. There are two kinds: 

  • Power of Attorney for Health Care – For medical care and end-of-life choices 

  • Power of Attorney for Property – For your finances, money, housing, and things like banking or Social Security 

Why should I make Powers of Attorney? Learn from their stories:
Man with short hair and goatee, wearing a short-sleeve button-up shirt with vertical blue, white, and lavender stripes, standing against a plain light background.
Federico's story
Meet Federico – After losing his wife, Federico realized his closest relatives were all living in a country he hadn’t called home in 30 years.
n/a
Smiling woman with curly hair pulled back, wearing a coral cardigan over a patterned floral top, standing against a plain light background.
Shirley's story
Meet Shirley – After being diagnosed with early-stage dementia, Shirley realized she needed to get her affairs in order.
n/a
Smiling woman with gray curly hair wearing glasses, a white blouse, and a bright yellow patterned jacket, standing against a plain light background.
Lisa's story
Meet Lisa – After a health scare that landed her in the hospital, Lisa realized she needed to name her partner as her official decision-maker.
n/a
Learn more about Powers of Attorney
Power of Attorney for Health Care - POA-HC
Power of Attorney for Property (and Finances) - POA-P
POA print out info sheet
CDEL and IDPH logo featured side by side.
Ready to make your Powers of Attorney?

 

You can make your Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Power of Attorney for Property (and Finances) using the Power of Planning program for free. 

HTML Button Generator

HTML Button Generator

This program creates Illinois specific Powers of Attorney documents according to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act Statutory Short Form requirements. 

What is this Power of Planning?

The Power of Planning is an online program that helps you take control of your future and make your power of attorney documents for free. 

Learn about your choices from experienced attorneys at the Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL). Listen to stories from people who took the Power of Planning into their own hands.

Choose an attorney or a participant story to start making your Powers of Attorney today. The legal information presented by each lawyer is the same.
Learn more about CDEL
-NONE-
What other Advance Planning steps can I take?

There are several ways to plan for your future independently. Learn more about advance planning tools you can use – even if you don’t have a trusted person to name as your agent. 

Free info sheet 

Fill out a profile about yourself and help people get to know you better: 

This is me: A personal guide to my care
-NONE-
Are you a caregiver?

Caring for someone you love is important, but it can be overwhelming at times. You don’t have to do it alone. 

Learn more about your role as a caregiver or Power of Attorney agent, how to support your loved one, and where to find support for yourself.

Free info sheet
-NONE-
Worried about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?

Diseases like Alzheimer’s and related dementias can affect memory and decision-making. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead while you’re still able to make your own decisions. Planning early means your wishes will still count, even if your health changes later on.  

 
Learn more about early warning signs, resources, and steps you can take today. 

Free info sheet