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A Complete Guide to Powers of Attorney for Sausalito Residents
Establishing a power of attorney is an important step for Sausalito residents who want to ensure their financial and healthcare decisions are handled according to their wishes if they cannot act for themselves. This guide explains the main types of powers of attorney used in California and outlines how they function, including when a durable power of attorney continues after incapacitation and when a healthcare power of attorney authorizes medical decision-making. Readers will learn practical considerations for choosing an agent, tailoring scope and duration, and meeting state formalities so that documents remain effective when they are needed most.
Powers of attorney are flexible tools that can be drafted to address short-term needs or serve as a long-term component of your estate plan. In Sausalito, residents face unique local and financial circumstances, and planning for decision-making continuity can reduce stress and avoid court involvement. This section covers basic steps from selecting an agent and defining clear authority to notarization and distribution of copies. It also highlights why periodic review is advisable as life events and laws change, ensuring documents continue to reflect your preferences and current legal requirements in California.
Why Powers of Attorney Matter for Sausalito Households
A properly drafted power of attorney gives trusted individuals the ability to manage critical affairs without delay, which is particularly valuable for families in Sausalito where real estate, banking, and healthcare issues can be time sensitive. Having clear authority in place prevents confusion among family members and institutions, reduces the chance of disputes, and helps avoid the expense and delay of court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship. This legal arrangement also allows you to express limits, conditions, and specific instructions so that agents act in line with your preferences and priorities while complying with California requirements for validity and enforcement.
About Our Sausalito Estate Planning Services and Approach
LA Estate Plans serves residents throughout California, including Sausalito, by helping clients prepare powers of attorney and related estate planning documents. Our approach emphasizes clear communication and careful drafting to produce documents aligned with clients’ goals and California law. We guide clients through agent selection, scope definition, execution formalities, and safe distribution of final documents. The intent is to make the process understandable and practical for people at different life stages, whether planning for aging, health changes, travel, or complex financial arrangements, while ensuring documents are enforceable when needed.
Understanding Powers of Attorney in Sausalito
A power of attorney is a legal document that grants another person the authority to act on your behalf in specified matters, such as financial transactions or healthcare decisions. In California, these documents must meet particular requirements to be valid, including appropriate signatures and typically notarization. Powers of attorney can be tailored to begin immediately or to take effect upon a triggering event like incapacitation. Knowing the distinction between types—such as durable financial powers and healthcare powers—helps residents choose the right instruments to ensure continuity of decision-making and protection of assets, while keeping control over how broad or limited agents’ powers should be.
Selecting the right form and wording for a power of attorney also involves considering who will act as agent and under what conditions they may make decisions. The document should clearly define the agent’s authority, any limitations, and instructions for handling specific matters like real property or business interests. For healthcare decisions, clarity about treatment preferences and contact with providers supports adherence to your wishes. Regular review and updates are recommended after major life events such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or changes in financial status, so the documents remain consistent with current needs and California law.
What a Power of Attorney Is and How It Works
A power of attorney is a written authorization that allows a designated person to act on behalf of the person who creates the document, often referred to as the principal. This authorization can be limited to specific tasks or broad to cover a variety of financial or healthcare matters. In California, formalities such as the principal’s signature and often notarization are required for the document to be accepted by banks, healthcare providers, and other institutions. Well-drafted powers of attorney make clear when authority takes effect, how long it lasts, and what actions the agent is permitted to undertake, reducing confusion and providing continuity in decision-making.
Key Elements and Steps to Create a Valid Power of Attorney
Creating a valid power of attorney involves several important steps: choosing a trusted agent, outlining the exact scope of authority, specifying when the power becomes effective, and following state signing and notarization rules. Additional steps include reviewing existing estate planning documents to ensure consistency, tailoring provisions for sensitive matters like real property or business accounts, and planning for distribution of copies to the agent and relevant institutions. Periodic review ensures the document reflects changes in circumstances. Careful attention to these elements helps make your powers of attorney practical and enforceable in California.
Important Terms and Glossary for Powers of Attorney
Understanding common terms used in powers of attorney helps you make informed choices during estate planning. This section explains frequently used words such as principal, agent, durable, healthcare power of attorney, limited power of attorney, and notarization. Knowing these definitions clarifies how documents operate, what authority is being granted, and the legal formalities required in California. Clear terminology supports precise drafting and reduces misunderstandings about the powers granted to another person to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or medical situations.
Agent
The agent is the person appointed in a power of attorney to act on behalf of the principal. Responsibilities may include managing bank accounts, paying bills, selling property, interacting with financial institutions, or making healthcare decisions, depending on the document’s scope. Selecting someone who understands your values and can manage tasks responsibly is important. The document can specify conditions for acting jointly or successively with other agents and may set limits to prevent overreach. Proper notification to institutions and clear instructions help ensure the agent can fulfill their role with confidence.
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney remains operative even if the principal becomes incapacitated, allowing the agent to manage financial affairs without interruption. Durable language must be included in the document to ensure continued effect after incapacity under California law. This arrangement supports ongoing management of assets, bill payments, real estate matters, and other financial responsibilities when the principal cannot act. Clear drafting ensures institutions recognize the agent’s authority and reduces the likelihood of disputes or the need for court-appointed conservatorships, preserving continuity in financial oversight.
Principal
The principal is the individual who creates the power of attorney and grants authority to the agent. The principal must have the mental capacity to understand the nature and scope of the document at the time of signing. The principal determines the powers to be given, specifies any limitations or conditions, and can revoke the document while competent. Decisions about choosing agents, including alternate agents and instructions for specific transactions, are controlled by the principal to ensure decisions reflect personal values and practical needs under California law.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney appoints an agent to make medical and health care decisions when the principal cannot communicate their wishes. It may be used alongside an advance healthcare directive or living will to convey treatment preferences and end-of-life instructions. In California, this document helps ensure providers and family members follow the principal’s directions regarding medical care. It is important to discuss preferences with the chosen agent and medical providers to ensure decisions align with the principal’s values and to avoid uncertainty during stressful healthcare situations.
Comparing Power of Attorney Options for Sausalito Residents
When deciding which power of attorney to use, consider the scope, duration, and purpose of the authority you wish to grant. A limited power of attorney provides authority for specific transactions or time periods, which can be useful for single events like closing a sale. A durable financial power of attorney provides ongoing authority and remains in effect if you become incapacitated. A healthcare power of attorney focuses strictly on medical decisions. Evaluating these options in light of your assets, family dynamics, and health planning goals helps determine whether one document or a combination is most appropriate for your situation in Sausalito.
When a Limited Power of Attorney Is an Appropriate Choice:
Specific Transaction Management
A limited power of attorney is well suited to handle defined transactions, such as closing on a property, managing a single bank account, or authorizing a one-time tax filing. This approach allows you to grant authority only for the tasks you specify, avoiding broader control over unrelated assets or long-term responsibilities. It is helpful for residents who need a temporary representative for a particular matter while maintaining direct control over other aspects of their finances and affairs, and it reduces the chance of disputes by clearly delimiting what the agent may do.
Temporary Representation While Abroad or Unavailable
If you will be traveling or temporarily absent from Sausalito, a limited power of attorney can authorize someone to handle time-sensitive matters in your absence without granting long-term powers. This is useful for tasks like signing documents, managing property during a period of absence, or handling a specific closing when you cannot be present. The document should specify start and end dates or clearly defined conditions for termination so that the agent’s authority automatically expires when the stated purpose is fulfilled.
When a Comprehensive Power of Attorney Is More Appropriate:
Long-Term Management and Continuity
A comprehensive durable power of attorney is appropriate for individuals who want ongoing management of financial affairs in the event of incapacity. This arrangement supports continuity for bill payments, investment decisions, property management, and business matters without the need for court involvement. It is particularly useful for households with multiple assets, complex financial arrangements, or responsibilities that require sustained attention. Carefully drafted provisions can provide necessary authority while including safeguards and instructions to guide the agent’s decisions.
Avoiding Court-Appointed Conservatorship
A comprehensive power of attorney can prevent the need for a court-appointed conservatorship by granting a trusted agent clear authority to manage affairs if the principal is incapacitated. Avoiding court intervention saves time, expense, and public oversight into private financial matters. This planning tool offers families a structured means of ensuring continuity across financial and personal affairs. Clear instructions and appropriate documentation reduce the likelihood that institutions will refuse to recognize the agent’s authority, helping to maintain privacy and efficiency in managing the principal’s needs.
Advantages of a Broad, Durable Power of Attorney
A comprehensive durable power of attorney provides flexibility to manage a wide range of financial and administrative tasks when the principal cannot act. This continuity reduces administrative disruption and helps ensure recurring obligations are met on time. For families in Sausalito, where real estate and asset management often require prompt action, such an arrangement can prevent missed opportunities or penalties. Comprehensive powers also allow you to build in instructions for agents, designate alternates, and provide clear guidelines for how decisions should be made in line with your preferences.
Another practical benefit is the reduction of uncertainty and potential family disputes by setting out clear authority and expectations for an appointed agent. The document can specify how agents should handle investments, distributions, and ongoing obligations, which helps preserve family relationships and financial stability. By providing clear authority recognized by institutions and healthcare providers, a comprehensive durable power of attorney simplifies transitions, supports efficient management of affairs, and offers confidence that day-to-day matters will be handled responsibly when you cannot do so yourself.
Sustained Financial Management
A broad durable power of attorney enables sustained oversight of finances, including bill payments, tax obligations, and property maintenance, preventing lapses that could harm credit or cause loss of assets. This benefit is particularly relevant for households with rental properties, business interests, or complex investment portfolios. By authorizing a trusted agent to act on your behalf, the document helps maintain continuity of operations and protects the principal’s financial wellbeing. Clear documentation and practical instructions to the agent further reduce the risk of mistakes or miscommunication with institutions.
Reduced Need for Court Intervention
When powers of attorney are in place and properly executed, families can often avoid costly and public court proceedings to appoint a conservator or guardian. This reduces legal expenses and preserves privacy around personal and financial affairs. It also speeds up decision-making in urgent circumstances by authorizing a designated agent to act immediately within the powers granted. Maintaining current documents and communicating their existence to relevant institutions supports recognition of the agent’s authority and reduces the likelihood that courts will need to be involved.
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Practical Tips for Drafting Effective Powers of Attorney
Choose an Agent Who Understands Your Wishes
Selecting an agent should involve candid conversations about your priorities and preferences so the person can act in alignment with your wishes when needed. Consider someone with good judgment, organizational skills, and willingness to communicate with family and institutions. Naming alternate agents provides backup if the primary agent is unavailable. Discuss practical matters like access to important documents, preferred banks, and healthcare providers. This preparation reduces stress for all parties and helps the appointed agent carry out responsibilities effectively without guessing at your intentions.
Be Specific About the Scope and Limitations
Keep Documents Current and Accessible
Store original and copy documents in safe, accessible locations and provide copies to your agent, alternates, and key institutions such as banks and healthcare providers. Review and update powers of attorney after major life events like marriage, divorce, relocation, or significant changes in assets. Keeping these documents current and communicating their location and provisions to those who need them helps ensure timely recognition of the agent’s authority, reduces disputes, and avoids delays when action is necessary in managing your affairs.
Reasons to Establish Powers of Attorney in Sausalito
Establishing powers of attorney provides continuity and legal clarity for times when you cannot manage your own affairs, whether due to illness, injury, or extended absence. It prevents administrative gaps in paying bills, managing property, or attending to urgent financial matters. For households with real estate or business interests in Sausalito, timely authority for an agent minimizes disruption and helps preserve value. The documents also provide a path to designate trusted decision-makers for healthcare choices, ensuring your preferences guide treatment when you cannot speak for yourself.
Another important reason to plan now is to reduce the emotional and financial burden on family members who might otherwise need to petition the court for conservatorship. Powers of attorney let you choose who will act on your behalf and include instructions to guide decisions, which can prevent family conflict and costly legal proceedings. Clear, current documents and open conversations with appointed agents and loved ones make it more likely your wishes will be followed and provide practical guidance during stressful situations.
Common Situations That Make Powers of Attorney Valuable
Powers of attorney are commonly used in situations such as advancing age, serious illness, planned travel, business transitions, or complex financial management needs. They provide a mechanism for designated people to act on your behalf for financial and healthcare matters, preventing delays and legal hurdles. Homeowners, property managers, and business owners in Sausalito often rely on these instruments to keep affairs moving smoothly. Anticipating potential issues and preparing appropriate documents preserves stability and avoids rushed decisions under pressure.
Aging or Declining Health
As individuals age or face health challenges, a power of attorney ensures that trusted agents can continue to manage finances, pay bills, and coordinate care without interruption. This planning protects assets and relationships by making responsibilities clear and avoiding the need for court intervention. It also allows the principal to outline preferences for medical treatment and financial priorities so that decision-making aligns with long-standing wishes even when the principal cannot communicate directly.
Travel or Temporary Absence
When you will be away for an extended period, a limited power of attorney can authorize someone to handle transactions required in your absence, such as signing closing documents, managing rental property, or overseeing bank matters. This temporary arrangement provides peace of mind by ensuring routine matters are addressed promptly, without giving broad permanent authority. Defining clear start and end dates or specific transactional limits keeps authority appropriate for the intended purpose.
Complex Financial or Business Arrangements
Individuals with multiple properties, business interests, or complicated investment portfolios often need someone to manage transactions and administrative tasks swiftly if they are unable to act. A durable power of attorney can provide a trusted agent with the authority needed to maintain operations, make payments, and protect assets during periods of incapacity. Including instructions and limits tailored to business or property matters helps safeguard interests while allowing necessary actions to be taken without delay.
We Are Here to Help Sausalito Residents with Powers of Attorney
Why Choose Our Sausalito Powers of Attorney Services
Clients choose LA Estate Plans for clear communication and practical drafting focused on enforceable powers of attorney that reflect each client’s wishes. We emphasize careful selection of agents, precise definition of authority, and compliance with California signing and notarization rules to reduce the risk of later challenges. Our process includes reviewing existing documents, coordinating with clients to address special assets or business interests, and preparing documents that are straightforward for institutions and agents to follow, minimizing delay when actions are needed.
Our approach includes guidance on how to distribute copies of powers of attorney, where to store originals, and how to inform relevant banks, healthcare providers, and family members so that the agent’s authority is recognized when necessary. We help clients consider contingencies such as alternate agents and step-in provisions to maintain continuity. Careful planning and clear instructions reduce friction during critical moments and support decisions that align with the principal’s values and practical needs.
We assist Sausalito residents at every stage, from initial consultation to final execution and safekeeping of documents. Our services are oriented toward creating durable, usable documents rather than overly complex forms, and we provide practical recommendations for maintaining and updating powers of attorney over time. By addressing likely scenarios and institutional requirements in California, clients gain documents that are more readily accepted and easier for agents to implement when needed.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Powers of Attorney Needs in Sausalito
Our Process for Preparing Powers of Attorney in Sausalito
Our process begins with a detailed consultation to understand personal circumstances, assets, and goals. We assess whether a limited, durable, healthcare, or combined approach best meets those needs and review any existing documents for consistency. Drafts are prepared with clear scope and instructions, then reviewed with the client to incorporate feedback. We guide clients through execution steps such as notarization and witnessing and provide recommendations for distribution, safekeeping, and periodic review to ensure documents remain valid and effective under California law.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Information Gathering
In the first step, we meet to discuss your situation in detail, including your health, family dynamics, financial accounts, real property, and any business interests. This information helps determine the appropriate type of power of attorney and the specific authorities to grant. We also talk about potential agents and alternates, preferred safeguards, and whether medical directives should be coordinated with financial powers. Gathering complete and accurate information at this stage lays the groundwork for precise drafting that serves your intentions.
Understanding Your Objectives and Priorities
This portion of the intake focuses on identifying what you want the agent to be able to do, what matters you wish to exclude, and how you want decisions to be made. We explore whether immediate or springing authority is appropriate and determine any special instructions related to property, investments, or business operations. By clearly articulating priorities, the document can be tailored to provide necessary authority while protecting elements of your plan that you prefer to keep under direct control.
Collecting Relevant Documents and Contacts
We collect account information, titles, insurance details, healthcare contacts, and any existing estate planning documents to ensure consistency across your plan. Having this documentation available helps us identify where the powers of attorney will be used and any institutional requirements for acceptance. We also gather contact details for proposed agents and alternates so that they can be informed and prepared to act if needed, ensuring a smoother transition when authority is exercised.
Step Two: Drafting and Client Review
After gathering information, we draft the power of attorney documents with precise language tailored to your needs. Drafts specify the scope of authority, any limitations, and the conditions for effectiveness. Clients receive copies to review and provide feedback, allowing revisions to address concerns or add clarity. This collaborative review reduces the chance of ambiguous provisions and helps ensure the final document accurately reflects the principal’s intentions and works readily with banks, healthcare providers, and other institutions in California.
Preparing Clear and Usable Drafts
Drafts are written to be accessible to institutions and to the appointed agent, using straightforward language and specific authorizations for important functions such as signing contracts, handling tax matters, or accessing accounts. Clarity helps avoid delays when agents present documents to third parties. We also include alternate agent provisions and any required legal statements to comply with California requirements, making the documents more likely to be accepted when timely action is needed.
Incorporating Client Feedback and Finalizing
Once the client reviews the drafts, we incorporate requested changes and finalize the documents. This stage ensures that any concerns are addressed, that limitations and special instructions are accurately stated, and that the text aligns with the client’s broader estate planning goals. Final review confirms that execution will satisfy California formalities and that the document will function as intended for financial institutions and healthcare providers.
Step Three: Execution, Notarization, and Distribution
After documents are finalized, we assist with the signing process, which typically includes notarization to meet California requirements. We confirm witness and signature procedures as needed and provide guidance on distributing copies to agents, alternates, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. Proper execution and distribution increase the likelihood that the power of attorney will be recognized and accepted, allowing agents to act promptly when circumstances demand it.
Ensuring Proper Signing and Notarization
Ensuring the document is signed in the correct manner and, where required, notarized helps institutions accept the power of attorney without delay. We explain the signing process, the role of witnesses if needed, and the importance of retaining original executed documents. Proper execution reduces the likelihood of disputes about validity at critical times and provides clarity to third parties who must honor the agent’s authority.
Advice on Copy Distribution and Safekeeping
We advise clients on where to store originals and copies, which institutions should receive documents, and how to inform agents and family members of the document’s existence and location. Recommendations include secure home storage, providing copies to banks and healthcare providers, and keeping a record of who has received documents. Clear distribution and accessibility make it simpler for agents to act when needed and help preserve the document’s intended effect.
The Proof is in Our Performance
Frequently Asked Questions About Powers of Attorney in Sausalito
What is the difference between a durable power of attorney and a limited power of attorney?
A durable power of attorney is designed to remain effective even if the person who created it becomes incapacitated, enabling the agent to continue managing financial affairs without interruption. It is commonly used for ongoing management of bills, investments, and property. In contrast, a limited power of attorney grants authority for specific tasks or a defined period, such as completing a real estate closing or handling a single transaction while the principal is unavailable. The limited form expires when the specified action is complete or the stated time ends. Choosing between these options depends on the scope and duration of authority needed. If long-term continuity in management is important, a durable approach is appropriate. If authority is only needed for a narrow purpose or temporary situation, a limited document may be preferable. Careful drafting to specify the agent’s powers and any constraints improves the document’s usefulness and reduces disputes with institutions and family members.
Can I revoke a power of attorney once it has been signed?
Yes, you can revoke a power of attorney at any time as long as you are mentally competent to make that decision. Revocation should be done in writing and should clearly state that the power of attorney is revoked. It is also important to inform the agent and any institutions or third parties that previously received the document so they will be on notice that the agent no longer has authority to act on your behalf. To avoid confusion, provide copies of the revocation to banks, healthcare providers, and others who were given the original document. If copies were recorded or filed with authorities for particular transactions, additional steps may be needed to withdraw or supersede those filings. Consulting with counsel can help ensure the revocation is properly communicated and effective under California law.
How do I choose the right person to act as my agent?
Choosing an agent involves considering trustworthiness, judgment, availability, and willingness to act. Look for someone who knows your values, can communicate clearly with family and institutions, and is organized enough to handle administrative tasks like bill payments and recordkeeping. Discuss the responsibilities with the person you have in mind to confirm they are prepared and willing to take on the role when needed. It is often wise to name alternate or successor agents in case the first choice cannot serve. Consider geographic proximity when prompt action may be necessary and whether the person has practical familiarity with your finances or healthcare preferences. Clear instructions within the document and shared access to important records also make it easier for an agent to perform effectively.
Can a power of attorney cover both financial and healthcare decisions?
Powers of attorney for financial matters and healthcare decisions are usually separate documents because they address different authorities and legal requirements. A financial power of attorney grants authority to manage assets, pay bills, and conduct banking or property transactions. A healthcare power of attorney appoints someone to make medical decisions, coordinate with providers, and interpret your treatment preferences if you cannot speak for yourself. Using separate documents allows you to tailor each instrument’s scope and safeguards according to the nature of decisions involved. Coordinating both documents as part of a broader estate plan helps ensure that appointed agents understand their roles and that instructions are consistent across financial and medical matters.
How often should I review or update my powers of attorney?
It is advisable to review your powers of attorney periodically and after key life events such as marriage, divorce, relocation, significant changes in finances, or the death or incapacity of a named agent. Regular review ensures that the named agents remain appropriate, that the scope of authority still reflects your wishes, and that any changes in law or institutional practices are addressed. Updates can prevent unintended consequences and reduce the likelihood of disputes when authority is needed. A scheduled review every few years or following major life events keeps documents current and functional. When updates are made, ensure executed copies are distributed to agents and relevant institutions and that older versions are revoked or replaced to avoid confusion.
What happens if I don’t have a power of attorney and become incapacitated?
Without a power of attorney, family members may need to seek court intervention to appoint a conservator or guardian to manage your affairs, which can be time-consuming, costly, and public. Court proceedings can delay access to funds or prevent timely healthcare decisions and impose additional legal expenses on loved ones. Having powers of attorney in place reduces the likelihood of such retroactive court involvement and provides a private, orderly transition of authority to trusted individuals. Planning ahead with clear powers of attorney allows you to choose who will manage your affairs and how decisions should be made. This preemptive planning helps maintain continuity of care and financial stability, and offers peace of mind that intended agents can act without prolonged legal obstacles.
Do powers of attorney in California need to be notarized?
Yes, California generally requires powers of attorney to be signed by the principal and often notarized to ensure the document will be accepted by banks and other institutions. Notarization helps verify the principal’s signature and reduces questions about the document’s authenticity. Some situations may require witness signatures in addition to or instead of notarization depending on the document type and specific institutional requirements. Ensuring proper execution according to California formalities increases the likelihood that third parties will accept the document without delay. We provide guidance on the correct signing process, coordinate notarization when needed, and explain any additional steps that may be required for particular institutions or property transactions.
Can I name more than one agent to serve jointly or successively?
You may appoint more than one agent either to serve jointly, meaning they must act together, or successively, meaning one acts if the prior agent cannot. Designing the appointment this way can provide checks and redundancy, but it also requires clear drafting to avoid gridlock between co-agents or confusion about the order of succession. Specifying how agents should act and whether joint decisions are required helps prevent disputes and ensures smoother decision-making when authority is needed. Alternates can be particularly helpful in ensuring someone is available to act quickly if the primary agent is unable or unwilling. Carefully articulated provisions about joint or successive authority and procedures for resolving disputes reduce the likelihood of conflicts and facilitate timely action on behalf of the principal.
How does a healthcare power of attorney differ from a living will?
A healthcare power of attorney appoints an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so, while a living will or advance directive provides written instructions about specific medical treatments and end-of-life care preferences. The healthcare power of attorney gives a person the authority to interpret your wishes in context and to communicate with medical providers, whereas the living will expresses your treatment preferences directly for providers to follow. Using both documents together provides comprehensive guidance: the living will sets out specific directives, and the healthcare power of attorney empowers a trusted person to apply those directives and make other necessary decisions in real time. This combination helps ensure that treatment aligns with your values and that there is an authorized decision-maker to act when needed.
Where should I store my executed powers of attorney and who should receive copies?
Store the original executed powers of attorney in a safe but accessible location and provide copies to your appointed agents, alternates, and relevant institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and healthcare providers. Making sure agents know where the original is located and have access to copies reduces delays when action is needed. Consider secure home safes, attorney file storage, or a designated document repository, and keep a record of who has received copies. It is also helpful to notify primary family members and key professionals about the documents’ existence and general provisions, without necessarily sharing sensitive details. Periodically confirm that institutions have the most current version on file and that agents retain copies so they can act promptly if circumstances require.