How to Get Durable Power of Attorney
After drafting your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, there are essential final steps to completing the document. Accordingly, these final steps include the following: Validate the document. Decide what to do with the document. Although both steps are fairly simple to complete, state law determines how to complete each step.
If you are ready to fill out your POA paperwork, you can find templates online or at various office supply stores. Follow these steps once you're ready to take next steps. 1. Choose an agent. Before you begin to fill out the form, you have some decisions to …
Apr 12, 2022 · Establishing a durable power of attorney can be an important aspect of estate and lifetime planning, especially for aging seniors without immediate family. When you set up a power of attorney (also called an agent or attorney-in-fact), you are allowing someone to legally act on your behalf. Your agent may have sweeping powers to handle all your ...
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY. IMPORTANT INFORMATION. This power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property (including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself.
A Power of Attorney empowers an Attorney-in-Fact to do certain specified things for the Principal during the Principal's lifetime. A Living Trust also allows a person, called a "trustee," to do certain things for the maker of the trust during that person's lifetime but these powers also extend beyond death.
Powers of Attorney should be written clearly so that the Attorney-in-Fact and third parties know what the Attorney-in-Fact can and cannot do. If you, as Attorney-in-Fact, are unsure whether or not you are authorized to do a particular act, you should consult the attorney who prepared the document.
Under some circumstances, if the third party's refusal to honor the Power of Attorney causes damage, the third party may be liable for those damages and even attorney's fees and court costs. Even mere delay may cause damage and this too may subject the third party to a lawsuit for damages.
An Attorney-in-Fact is looked upon as a "fiduciary" under the law. A fiduciary relationship is one of trust. If the Attorney-in-Fact violates this trust, the law may punish the Attorney-in-Fact both civilly (by ordering the payments of restitution and punishment money) and criminally (probation or jail).
The purpose of the affidavit is to relieve the third party of liability for accepting an invalid Power of Attorney. In Tennessee, an affidavit that is similar to the one at the end of this Web page is acceptable to most third parties. Other states may have a different form. You may wish to consult your attorney.
An affidavit is a sworn written statement. A third party may require you, as the Attorney-in-Fact, to sign an affidavit stating that you are validly exercising your duties under the Power of Attorney. If you want to use the Power of Attorney, you do need to sign the affidavit if so requested by the third party.
The Principal is not deceased, has not been adjudicated incapacitated or disabled; and has not revoked, partially or completely terminated, or suspended the Durable Power of Attorney; and. A petition to determine the incapacity of or to appoint a conservator for the Principal is not pending.
Of the two final steps, validating your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances is the most important. Without validation, the document remains useless. So, most states require the following to validate your document:
After validating your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, you must decide what to do with the document. Fortunately, the decision is straightforward and depends upon the type of document you chose to complete. If you drafted your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances to be effective immediately, you have the following options:
Typically, your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances ends at your death. However, there are other ways your Durable Power of Attorney for Finances may end:
Plan Your Estate – Plan Your Estate will provide complete guidance in drafting an effective Durable Power of Attorney.
Although the format varies depending on your state and the form you use, it generally includes the following information: 1 Your full legal name and address 2 Your agent's full legal name and address 3 The date the power becomes effective 4 The date the power ends, if applicable 5 The specific powers granted
A durable POA begins when you sign it and continues even if you become incapacitated. A nondurable POA, on the other hand, ends once you have become incapacitated. You may also elect to have the authority take effect at some time in the future.
You may decide to grant this type of authority for financial matters or solely for a specific transaction, such as a real estate closing or the registration of a vehicle. A medical POA grants your agent the ability to make medical decisions for you.
Follow these steps once you're ready to take next steps. 1. Choose an agent. Before you begin to fill out the form, you have some decisions to make. First, of course, you must choose your agent.
This is sometimes called a springing power because it springs into effect at a later date. You can also designate a specific end date. For example, you may wish to designate an agent to act for you during a military deployment, in which case you would choose to have the power terminate when you return home. 4.
Although the format varies depending on your state and the form you use, it generally includes the following information: Your full legal name and address. Your agent's full legal name and address. The date the power becomes effective. The date the power ends, if applicable.
First, of course, you must choose your agent. Generally, they can be anyone over the age of 18 who is of sound mind. You should discuss the idea with this person to be sure they are willing and able to take on the responsibility. Be sure it is someone you trust. 2.
A durable power of attorney form (DPOA) allows an individual (“principal”) to select someone else (“agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to handle their financial affairs while they are alive. The term “durable” refers to the form remaining valid and in-effect if the principal should become incapacitated (e.g. dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.).
Successor Agent (optional) – Elect to have in case the agent is not available. Durable POA Form (3 copies) – It is recommended to bring 3 copies for signing. Notary Public / Witnesses – Depending on the State, it is required the form is signed by a notary public or witness (es) present.
The Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) are laws created by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (ULC) and have been adopted by 28 States since 2007. The incorporation of the laws is to bring uniformity to all 50 States and set common guidelines. Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) Statutes (Revised 2006)
Financial Powers. The principal may grant the following standard financial powers to the agent in accordance with Section 301 (page 68): Real property – The buying, selling, and leasing of real estate; Tangible Personal Property – The selling or leasing of personal items;
After the form has been completed the principal will need to figure out the signing requirements in their State to finalize the document. In addition, the principal will need to gather the agent (s) as they will be required to sign the form in front of either the two (2) witnesses or notary public.
An agent certification is an optional form that lets an agent acknowledged their designation by the principal. The agent must sign in the presence of a notary public ( Section 302 – Page 74 ):
(25) Attorney-in-Fact Declaration. The Agent who will be granted the principal powers you approved according to the conditions you set will have an acceptance statement to tend to. The printed name of the Attorney-in-Fact must be included in this statement.