No one enjoys planning for the possibility that they can no longer handle their own affairs. Yet this sort of advance planning is an essential way to ensure your wishes are respected and your finances are in order. One easy to use tool is the Durable Power of Attorney form that is available in each state. However, many banks and financial institutions refuse to honor the state issued forms. Instead they insist that customers execute the bank’s own forms- a common if not totally legal hoop you may have to jump through to carry out transactions on behalf of someone else.  So, a word of advice: Make sure you check with each financial institution you or your loved ones use, to ensure the correct forms are one file with that bank or institution- do this before dementia or decision making decline sets in.  Who knew this was a thing? Read This.