The question of how long a power of attorney lasts has two different answers–a legal one and a practical one. First, the legal answer is however long you set it up to last. If you set a date for a power of attorney to lapse, then it will last until that date. If you create a general power of attorney and set no date for which it will expire, it will last until you die or become incapacitated.
If you don’t have a durable power of attorney in place when you become incapacitated, then your family will have to go to the court and get you placed in conservatorship so that they can manage your affairs. Conservatorships are a big mess and should be avoided. Basically, your family is going to have to get the court’s permission every time they want to do something.
In contrast to the standard power of attorney, a springing power of attorney does not become effective until the principal becomes incapacitated. This type of power of attorney is used if the principal foresees an illness or absence that will prevent them from acting in their own interests.
A Medical Power of Attorney. A medical power of attorney gives the agent the authority to make medical decisions for the principal once invoked. These decisions can encompass all medical situations up to and including end-of-life decisions.
A power of attorney template or POA form can be used to nominate a power of attorney to represent an individual and their affairs in several different areas should they become incapacitated: 1 A standard power of attorney 2 A springing power of attorney 3 A medical power of attorney 4 A durable power of attorney
A power of attorney template or POA form can be used to nominate a power of attorney to represent an individual and their affairs in several different areas should they become incapacitated: A standard power of attorney. A springing power of attorney.
You have presented a very difficult issue.#N#First, it is generally true that your power of attorney is valid indefinitely. Washington has a statute that provides to that effect...
In most states a Power of Attorney is valid until it has been revoked or a new Power of Attorney has been executed.If your grandmother is still competent, then she could execute a new Power of Attorney. If however she is not sufficiently competent to choose a new agent, then she could not execute a new valid Power of Attorney.
I agree with the prior attorneys and also find your statements confusing. Its really not clear what "filed for power of attorney" means. It is possible that if your grandmother had capacity she revoked her POA with you as agent and put the aunt in your place...more information needed here for certain.
One of the most common reasons is in the context of estate planning, so someone else has the authority to handle things for you without going to court if you become incapacitated or are incompetent.
When you make a durable POA, it means the person you named, called the agent, has authority to act even if you are incapacitated or incompetent. If you create a power of attorney for estate planning purposes, consider making it durable. This limits the likelihood your agent will need to go to court to establish a conservatorship over your affairs if your health changes for the worse in the future.
Finally, you do not have a valid power of attorney if the person you named as your agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or is otherwise unable or unwilling to act on your behalf. For this reason, it is helpful to name one or more successors who are willing and able to serve.
A POA is automatically revoked with respect to your spouse if either of you files for divorce in many states as well. This means you do not need to create a written revocation document or provide formal notice of revocation to your former spouse.
A durable power of attorney means that you name a person (the agent) to act on your behalf. Most POAs become invalid if a person is incapacitated or deemed incompetent, but not when there is a durable POA. A durable POA will usually allow a person to handle all of the principal’s affairs, including their finances and health care decisions.
However, a durable POA is the most pervasive and encompassing type of POA. This type of POA only expires upon the death of the individual, not upon incapacitation.