Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken a significant step toward simplifying legal processes for the state's seniors by introducing free, fillable Power of Attorney forms on the Elder Abuse Task Force’s website. These forms, designed by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at Cooley Law School, allow residents to designate someone to handle their medical and financial decisions in cases where they can no longer do so themselves, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Regarding the initiative, Nessel stated, per the Michigan Department of Attorney General, "These forms will help people exercise their rights and protect themselves and their family members from potential abuse or exploitation." The Attorney General expressed gratitude toward the Kimble Center for making these resources accessible, a vital addition in light of the updated Michigan Power of Attorney statute which was advocated for by the Elder Abuse Task Force in 2024, though that statutory form was previously unavailable in a fillable format on the web, which the forms from the Kimble Center now remedy.
The Power of Attorney documents offered include one for finances, enabling individuals to choose a proxy for financial decisions, and another for medical purposes, allowing the selection of a healthcare decision-maker. These forms are in line with the standards set by the updated Uniform Power of Attorney Act, reinforcing Michigan’s ongoing fight against elder abuse—a fight emblemized by the multifaceted approach of the Elder Abuse Task Force, consisting of over 55 organizations and more than 100 members segmented into seven committees.
Apart from the above, the Task Force's accomplishments boast the institution of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form and vital trainings for law enforcement, to the point where hundreds of police officers, prosecutors, and Adult Protective Services personnel have been trained, and the training videos have been viewed in the thousands; simultaneously, laws such as the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act and the mandatory reporting obligations for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation have been enacted, reinforcing systemic vigilance against the financial abuse of elders, more than 100,000 of whom in Michigan fall victim to various forms of mistreatment each year.
Residents in Michigan seeking support or resources related to elder abuse may reach out to the helpline at 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or dial 855-444-3911 to report any suspicions of elder mistreatment. As Nessel's office continues to emphasize, these initiatives, including the new, easily accessible documentation, form critical bulwarks to protect one of the state’s most vulnerable demographics.
