A Durable Power of Attorney is a lifetime document for estate planning. It allows you to designate a representative; such as your spouse or adult child, to perform certain actions for you should you become ill, incapacitated or otherwise unable to manage your affairs. The representative could, for example, pay bills, manage your property, make gifts, sell securities, deal with government agencies, or make major financial decisions on your behalf, depending on how broad or narrow you limit the powers. Without a power of attorney, your spouse or other loved one would have to go through the delay and expense of seeking approval from the Court to carry out needed financial transactions.