Why Power of Attorney May Be the Missing Piece in Your Estate Planning Strategy

Who inherits your clients’ assets when they pass?

Will their heirs bear the cost of probate, fight among themselves, and watch their families values slip away?

Or will your clients have a succession plan that locks in peace of mind, and a future for the family beyond them?

On a scale of 1–10, how important do you say it is to get your affairs in order? Now imagine what your clients would say.

At ePIC Services Company, we believe estate planning isn’t just about documents, it’s the difference between chaos and legacy. And adding in a Power of Attorney into every estate plan isn’t optional, it’s essential.

 

What is a Power of Attorney (POA)?

A POA is a legal document that grants a trusted agent (the “attorney-in-fact”) authority to act on behalf of a principal if the principal becomes incapacitated or can’t act on their own. [Investopedia] A financial POA allows someone to oversee your financial affairs: pay bills, manage investments, pay taxes, handle real estate. [Thrivent] Without a POA, if a client becomes incapacitated, the only route may be a court-imposed guardianship or conservatorship; which is far costlier, slower, and less controlled than a properly drafted POA. [CFA Institute Daily]

 

Why Should Advisors Care?

 

• Client protection = advisor protection. Clients view you as the guide who protects their wealth; even when they can’t act themselves.
• High-stakes risk. Cases exist where POAs were misused or lacked proper oversight, leading to major losses and regulatory issues. [Barron's]
• Differentiation. Many advisors talk investments' but far fewer have a system to deliver estate-planning, POA, and trust support seamlessly.
• Growth engine. When you offer a complete estate-planning solution, you deepen relationships, retain assets, and open referral pathways for generations.

 

How ePIC Makes It Work

With our eState Plan Portfolio, advisors don’t have to build everything from scratch or choose a DIY solution like Vanilla or Trust & Will offers. We provide:

• Attorney-reviewed POA and trust documents for each client.
• White-glove onboarding: we assist your clients through the process of executing POA, trust creation, and funding. Within as little as one week of joining, you can begin onboarding clients into this estate-planning system.
• Compliance guardrails: we help keep your role advisory (not legal), while ensuring our Network Attorney handles the legal drafting and review.
• Long-term asset retention and multi-generational value: you become the trusted advisor families rely upon: through life, incapacity, and succession.

Common Client Questions & How Advisors Should Respond

Client Question: “What does a POA do for me?”

• What the Advisor Can Say: “A Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to act on your behalf if you can’t. It ensures bills get paid, assets protected, and your affairs continue.”
• What to Avoid (Unauthorized Practice of Law): Avoid drafting, choosing language, or selecting the agent for the client (that’s legal advice).

Client Question: “When does it become effective?”

• What the Advisor Can Say: “It depends on how the document is drafted. Some POAs are effective immediately, others only if you become incapacitated.” [Thrivent]
• What to Avoid (Unauthorized Practice of Law): Don’t state what is best for their state law or guarantee any legal outcomes.

Client Question: “What happens if I don’t have one?”

• What the Advisor Can Say: “Without one, a court may need to appoint someone, or a guardianship or conservatorship may be required - adding cost, delay, and risk.” [CFA Institute]
• What to Avoid (Unauthorized Practice of Law): Don’t offer legal strategy for avoiding probate or guarantee that a POA will fully avoid court proceedings.

Client Question: “Can you help me fill it out?”

• What the Advisor Can Say: “I work with an attorney as part of our eState Plan Portfolio; they’ll draft all documents according to your state’s rules. I only assist with the process and funding.”
• What to Avoid (Unauthorized Practice of Law): Don’t draft or fill legal forms for them unless you’re a licensed attorney in their state.

Client Question: "Who should I name as my agent?”

• What the Advisor Can Say: “You want someone you trust, who’s capable, aware of your finances, and willing to act. We can help you evaluate that role in our process.”
• What to Avoid (Unauthorized Practice of Law): Don’t recommend someone by name or promise they’ll act in a specific way legally, they’re fiduciaries and must act in your best interest.

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Legal Boundaries: What Advisors Can & Cannot Do

Financial advisors must stay within the lines of their licensure. Providing legal advice or drafting legal documents may constitute the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). [FA Magazine]

Best practices:

• Provide general education (e.g., what a POA is, why it matters).
• Disclose that you are not an attorney, but they will meet with one to finalize their estate plan and POA documents.
• Facilitate the process (introduce an attorney, manage logistics, funding support) without drafting or interpreting documents as legal advice.
• Use systems (like ePIC’s) where legal drafting is handled by licensed attorneys; you focus on the advisory, client-experience, and signing ceremony.

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Thought-Provoking Questions to Ask Your Clients

• Who would manage your finances if you became ill or incapacitated?
• How would your loved ones handle paying bills, managing investments, or approving key decisions for you?
• On a scale of 1–10, how confident are you that your current legacy plan protects your family, avoids chaos, and keeps assets with your advisor?

We only have 10 weeks left of 2025. As an advisor, if you could plug into a system that handles trusts, POA, attorney review, and client onboarding, all while helping you grow your business within one week...would you be ready to start this year?

The Bottom Line

Power of Attorney is far more than a document' it’s the safeguard between capacity and chaos. For advisors, it’s a strategic differentiator, a value-add, and a retention lever. At ePIC Services Company, our estate-planning system gives advisors the framework to deliver POA, trust, and asset-funding services; cleanly, compliantly, and commercially. Offer your clients protection. Help families avoid unnecessary costs. Keep assets in your firm. Let’s turn legacy-planning into the growth engine your practice needs.

 

Ready to implement? Download our Advisor Estate Planning Integration Checklist and take the first step.

 

Or book time with our team here to learn more.