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:
An older man with short gray hair wearing a denim shirt, smiling at the camera while seated outdoors and resting his hands on a cane; a blurred green garden background is visible behind him.
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
An older woman with short white hair and glasses smiles at the camera in front of a beige house with a teal front door and wooden steps, surrounded by green plants. She is wearing a gray T-shirt and appears relaxed and happy.
Shirley's story
Meet Shirley – After being diagnosed with early-stage dementia, Shirley realized she needed to get her affairs in order.
n/a
One gray-haired woman affectionately kisses another on the cheek as they share a warm moment over hot drinks.
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
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. 

Learn more about Powers of Attorney
  • Who should I select as my “agent” (helper)?
  • What are “during-life” and “after-life” documents? 
Power of Attorney for Health Care - POA-HC 
  • Why do I need a POA for Health Care?
  • When does my POA-HC start?
  • What is the “30-Day Cooling off Period?”
  • What is “Quality of Life versus Length of Life?”
Power of Attorney for Property (and Finances) - POA-P
  • Why do I need a POA for Property (and Finances)?
  • When does my POA-P start?
  • When does it end?
POA print out info sheet
Logo for CDEL and the Illinois Department of Public Health
What is the 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 and hear stories from people who took the Power of Planning into their own hands.

Choose any pathway below to start making your Powers of Attorney today. The legal information is the same across the represented communities.

Learn more
-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. 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.

Learn more
-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. 

Learn more