how does a veteran give me power of attorney over their finances

by Una Raynor 8 min read

This type of power of attorney lets an agent make medical decisions, but does not grant control over the principal’s finances or other non-medical affairs. Veterans may give power of attorney to their lawyer in order to help make the VA disability claims process easier.

Full Answer

Who should get a power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) can be an important element of planning for your elderly parent’s future. It allows another person to take action on your parent’s behalf, ensuring bills get paid and medical decisions can be made in the unfortunate circumstance that your elderly parent is unable to do those things on their own or merely needs help with such tasks.

What kind of power does a power of attorney actually have?

A general power of attorney gives broad powers to a person or organization (known as an agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf. These powers include handling financial and business transactions, buying life insurance, settling claims, operating business interests, making gifts , and employing professional help .

Who needs a power of attorney?

Lasting power of attorney allows people to appoint someone they trust, usually a family member or friend, to take control of their affairs if they fall ill.

What can a power of attorney do?

A power of attorney is an estate planning document that gives one or more people the power to make decisions and act on your behalf. The document outlines the actions your chosen agent can take, such as paying your bills while you're hospitalized and unable to do so yourself.

Does the VA offer power of attorney?

VA Form 10-0137 allows a veteran to select a representative to serve as a power of attorney for health care and a living will. A durable power of attorney usually must be signed and notarized, as well as specified as being durable; it will continue to be in effect in the event the principal becomes incapacitated.

Does a POA need to be notarized in VA?

While Virginia does not technically require you to get your POA notarized, notarization is very strongly recommended. Under Virginia law, when you sign your POA in the presence of a notary public, your signature is presumed to be genuine—meaning your POA is more ironclad.

What is military power of attorney?

A Military Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that gives a person or entity the authority to manage legal and financial matters for you, such as signing contracts, accessing your bank account, and buying or selling real estate.

How long is a military POA good for?

Durable: A durable power of attorney also usually takes effect when signed and lasts until it expires, until it is revoked or until either party dies. However, a durable power of attorney contains special language that continues the representative's powers even if the grantor is incapacitated.

Does a Virginia POA require witnesses?

You must comply with Virginia's signature requirements. You must sign your power of attorney or direct another person in your presence to sign your name for you if you are physically unable to sign. You do not need witnesses, but you should have it notarized by a notary public.

Does a medical power of attorney need to be witnessed in Virginia?

You must sign the Power of Attorney, but you do not need witnesses to your signature.

Who can override a power of attorney?

principalA power of attorney (POA) is a legal contract that gives a person (agent) the ability to act on behalf of someone (principal) and make decisions for them. Short answer: The principal who is still of sound mind can always override a power of attorney.

What is a PAO in the military?

As a Public Affairs Officer, you'll advise senior leaders in a variety of public affairs decisions and provide media training to ensure clear and compelling communication.

Does military spouse need power of attorney?

Your spouse must have either a general or a special power of attorney.

What is a durable power of attorney?

Durable Power of Attorney:A Power of Attorney which specifically says otherwise, agent's power ends if principal become mentally incapacitated. However, a power of attorney may say that it is to remain in effect in the event of future incapacity of the principal.

Military Power of Attorney, Explained

Anyone who has ever been deployed has likely been advised to get power of attorney just in case someone back home needs to handle financial or legal issues on their behalf while they are away. While power of attorney can certainly help in that situation, different types of power of attorney can be applied in different ways.

Disability Lawyers and Power of Attorney

Though many people associate power of attorney with authority given to a friend or loved one, assigning power of attorney to a lawyer can be particularly helpful for veterans. Many veterans seeking benefits opt to hire a VA disability attorney to help with their claim and give them power of attorney to make the process easier for everyone involved.

Legal Assistance for Disabled Veterans

Veterans Law Group has provided legal help for veterans for more than twenty years. Anyone frustrated or confused by the benefits application process should consider reaching out for a free consultation.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney consists of two parties, the "principal" and the "agent.". The principal is the person who designates that another person -- the agent -- is authorized to act on their behalf for whatever business the power of attorney permits.

What are the different types of powers of attorney?

Types of Powers of Attorney. There are two main types of powers of attorney: A general power of attorney -- which lets your agent can conduct any sort of business on your behalf, like buying a car or signing a lease in your name. This type of power of attorney should be used very carefully. A specific power of attorney -- which lets your agent ...

Can a power of attorney buy a car in your name?

With a specific power of attorney your agent can do things like communicate with the VA about your disability claim. The agent cannot, however, do anything else on your behalf like buying a car in your name, unless you authorize it.

What is a general power of attorney?

General Power of Attorney is, well, general in nature. It gives your assigned agent the power to handle a bunch of broad needs on your behalf, from filing taxes and making banking transactions to signing contracts.

What is POA in military?

POA is a legal instrument allowing service members to designate a person who can enter into contracts and execute other civil, financial and legal obligations on their behalf - often because of a deployment. Power of Attorney helps ensure that deployed service members and other veterans who can’t be present to sign documents can still use their VA ...

Why do you need a specific POA?

You’ll need to use a Specific POA if the buyer is unable to meet the requirements for a General POA. Specific POA is also known as limited Power of Attorney. It’s limited because the agent is only allowed to execute on a very specific issue, like, say, a VA home loan for one particular property address. Lenders may have their own guidelines.

Can a VA buyer use a POA?

The first is that buyer is able to sign the initial loan application and the purchase agreement. It doesn’t matter if they’re not able to sign other documents as the loan process moves forward.

Would a power of attorney help older family members now with their everyday finances?

Even if they're still competent to make major financial decisions, one or more of them may be finding it difficult to manage all their everyday money matters. Maybe your father's eyesight isn't sharp enough to confidently read financial documents or your mother's hearing isn't good enough to negotiate telephone transactions.

Do your family members need a limited power of attorney to help with specific transactions?

They might still be able to handle everyday money matters without help. Even so, they might not be comfortable handling more complicated transactions that come up from time to time. These might include buying a car, making an insurance claim, buying or selling a home, or arranging long-term care.

Would a temporary power of attorney for finances help protect your older family members while traveling?

It might.They may regularly spend time away from home, perhaps even out of the country. Or they may be planning a trip at a time when they know a specific financial matter is likely to need attention.

Should older family members consider a durable power of attorney for finances in case they become incapacitated?

One of the most difficult and complicated situations any family can face is the sudden and permanent incapacitation of someone close to them. The problems are worse if that person hasn't prepared a document that authorizes someone to act on his behalf regarding financial matters that may continue needing attention for as long as he lives.

Who should serve as the agent under a durable power of attorney for finances?

It's important to pick the right person to act as the agent (or attorney-in-fact) who's given authority under someone's power of attorney for finances. Trustworthiness is most important, of course. But beyond that, different people might fit different needs.

Does someone need a durable power of attorney for finances if all his assets are held jointly with his spouse?

If your father, for example, and his present spouse, have all their income and assets under both their names, it may not seem as if there's any need for a power of attorney for finances. If something happens to your father, the spouse already has authority over the assets. But a durable power of attorney for finances is still a good idea.

Does someone need a durable power of attorney for finances if he's set up a living trust?

The trustee of a revocable living trust may have much the same authority to deal with someone's finances as the agent does in a durable power of attorney. Even if he has a living trust, however, it's still a good idea for him to execute a durable power of attorney for finances.

What is financial power of attorney?

What Is a Financial Power of Attorney? A financial power of attorney is a particular type of POA that authorizes someone to act on your behalf in financial matters. Many states have an official financial power of attorney form.

How does a POA work?

Financial Power of Attorney: How It Works. A durable financial power of attorney can avoid financial disaster in the event you become incapacitated. You can also use a POA to allow someone to transact business for you if you are out of town or otherwise unavailable. If you need to give another person the ability to conduct your financial matters ...

What happens to your agent if you revoke your authority?

The authority also ends if you revoke it, a court invalidates it, your agent is no longer able to serve and you have not appointed an alternative or successor agent, or (in some states), if your agent is your spouse and you get divorced.

What is a POA?

What Is Power of Attorney? A power of attorney (or POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone to act on your behalf. The person who gives the authority is called the "principal," and the person who has the authority to act for the principal is called the "agent," or the "attorney-in-fact.".

When does a POA end?

The authority conferred by a POA always ends upon the death of the principal. The authority also ends if the principal becomes incapacitated, unless the power of attorney states that the authority continues. If the authority continues after incapacity, it is called a durable power of attorney (or DPOA). In cases of incapacity, a DPOA will avoid ...

When does a POA become effective?

When Does a Power of Attorney Become Effective? Depending upon how it is worded, a POA can either become effective immediately, or upon the occurrence of a future event. If the POA is effective immediately, your agent may act on your behalf even if you are available and not incapacitated. This is done when someone can’t be present ...

Can a third party accept a POA?

The big question about any POA is will a third party accept it? Generally, a third party is not required to accept a power of attorney. However, some state laws provide for penalties for a third party who refuses to accept a power of attorney using the state’s official form. One thing you can do to help assure its acceptance is contact anyone you think your agent may need to deal with and be sure they find your POA acceptable.

What is a Financial Power of Attorney?

A Financial Power of Attorney is the part of your Estate Plan that allows you to grant authority to someone you trust to handle your financial matters. Your Financial POA (also known as an Attorney-in-Fact) can step in when and if you’re ever unable to make financial decisions on your own due to incapacitation, death or absence.

What is a Durable Financial Power of Attorney?

A Durable Financial Power of Attorney is just the term used that denotes someone can act even after you become incapacitated and can’t express your will or make decisions. It’s not uncommon to wonder what powers does a Durable Power of Attorney have - and we’ll cover that in a bit.

How to Choose a Financial Power of Attorney

Choosing your Financial POA can be a bit daunting, but you want to take the time to make sure you’re confident with your decision and that you trust the person you name. In the long run, it will be well worth the time you’ll spend deciding.

Why do I Need a Financial Power of Attorney?

A Financial Power of Attorney is a component of your Estate Plan that ensures financial matters in your estate and are handled appropriately and responsibly. Knowing that your financial responsibilities, investments, retirement, bills and everything else in your financial world is in good hands can be a great source of comfort.

What is a POA?

Power of attorney: This is a legal document that allows you to appoint an agent to act on your behalf in certain matters, such as financial or health care. In order for the agent to stay in effect, it must be a durable POA. This is crucially important.

What happens to a POA when someone becomes incapacitated?

With any other type of POA, the agent actually loses the power to act on another’s behalf when that person becomes incapacitated or enfeebled, which is exactly the time they need someone to take over. There are different types of durable POAs: one just for medical issues, and another just for financial decision-making.

Can you be a guardian if you don't have a POA?

A durable POA established ahead of time can preclude the need for a guardianship. If you don’t have a durable POA, you risk the possibility that your loved ones may be hamstrung and unable to make time-sensitive decisions on your behalf. Becoming a person’s guardian requires paperwork and a hearing in front of a judge.

Can you appoint the same person in both roles?

Some people appoint the same person in both roles, while others choose to appoint different people to handle healthcare and finances. That route may make sense if, for instance, a relative is competent with finances but may be too squeamish to follow specific health care wishes in a crisis. A person can set up a power of attorney ...

Is a durable POA better than a guardianship?

In other words, a durable power of attorney is much preferable to a guardianship, and can prevent a lot of problems down the line. By Kate Rockwood.

Can a POA be used as an agent?

On the other hand, if you have a POA in place, it’s much more seamless: You simply provide the care team or financial institution a copy of the signed power of attorney, as well as identification proving you’re the person listed in the POA, and can immediately begin acting as the agent.

Can a person set up a power of attorney?

A person can set up a power of attorney and name an agent to handle their affairs before anything happens to them. This gives people the choice in who should oversee their affairs.