09/16/2026
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of those documents that is easy to overlook—until it is needed. A financial POA allows someone you trust to manage financial matters on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. For brokerage accounts, having the appropriate POA in place can help ensure that bills can be paid, investments can be managed, and important financial decisions can continue without unnecessary delays. A durable POA is particularly important because it can remain effective if you become incapacitated.
A few things to consider:
• Don't wait until there is an emergency. A POA generally must be established while you still have the legal capacity to grant that authority.
• Choose your agent carefully. A POA can provide significant authority over your finances, so the person selected should be someone you trust to act in your best interest.
• A Trusted Contact is not the same as a POA. A Trusted Contact can help your brokerage firm reach someone if there are concerns about your health, possible fraud, or difficulty contacting you—but they cannot trade, withdraw funds, or make decisions for you.
• Review your plan periodically. Changes in family relationships, health, residence, or financial circumstances may be a good reason to revisit who has authority and whether your documents are still appropriate.
Conversation starter: If something happened tomorrow and you couldn't manage your investment accounts, who would be able to step in—and would your financial institutions recognize their authority?
Sources: FINRA, Investment Accounts – Power of Attorney; SEC/Investor.gov, Why You Should Consider Adding a Trusted Contact to Your Account.
Bernardo Wealth and its affiliates do not provide legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal advice. You should consult your own legal advisor before engaging in any transaction.