how to does power of attorney work across state lines since it is state laws

If the power of attorney is valid in the state where it's written and signed, and that state has passed legislation to adopt the the UPOAA, then it is also valid in every other state that adheres to the UPOAA.

Full Answer

Is a power of attorney the same in every state?

Power of attorney documents are created under state laws, so a durable power of attorney created in one state may or may not be valid in another state. The ultimate decision on whether or not to accept a form created in another state comes down to the financial institution or organization. The document's validity may depend on whether the states have adopted the …

Do I need a state-specific power of attorney document?

An important part of lifetime planning is the power of attorney. A power of attorney is accepted in all states, but the rules and requirements differ from state to state. A power of attorney gives one or more persons the power to act on your behalf as your agent. The power may be limited to a particular activity, such as closing the sale of your home, or be general in its application.

What happens if the principal of a power of attorney moves?

Institutions are familiar with the forms in that state, and some states have their own statutory forms. It's better to do a new POA than to risk having one from another state not accepted because it looks unfamiliar or doesn't contain the customary wording. For more about the durable power of attorney, click here.

Does power of attorney need to be notarized?

State Laws for Various Types of Powers of Attorney. A power of attorney is an instrument containing an authorization for one to act as the agent of the principal that terminates at some point in the future either by its terms or by operation of law such as death of the principal or agent. They are also called letters of attorney.

When Your Health Care Documents May Not Be Accepted

Some states limit the extent to which they will honor health care directives from other states, accepting the documents only so far as they comply...

Do You Have to Worry About It?

If you split your time between states that don’t have perfect reciprocity, there’s probably no great cause for alarm. You have a constitutional rig...

Making Health Care Documents For Two States: Why You Shouldn’T

Rarely would you want to make a set of health care documents for more than one state. If your health care instructions for each state weren’t absol...

How to Ensure Your Health Care Wishes Will Be Honored

If it doesn’t make sense to make documents for the different states where you spend time, what should you do? First, do what you can to find out wh...

Why do you need a power of attorney?

Another important reason to use power of attorney is to prepare for situations when you may not be able to act on your own behalf due to absence or incapacity. Such a disability may be temporary, for example, due to travel, accident, or illness, or it may be permanent.

What is a springing power of attorney?

The power may take effect immediately, or only upon the occurrence of a future event, usually a determination that you are unable to act for yourself due to mental or physical disability. The latter is called a "springing" power of attorney.

How long does a power of attorney last?

Today, most states permit a "durable" power of attorney that remains valid once signed until you die or revoke the document.

Who is Michael Douglas' wife?

Assume Michael Douglas appoints his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, as his agent in a written power of attorney. Catherine, as agent, must sign as follows: Michael Douglas, by Catherine Zeta-Jones under POA or Catherine Zeta-Jones, attorney-in-fact for Michael Douglas. If you are ever called upon to take action as someone’s agent, ...

Can a power of attorney be revoked?

A power of attorney may be revoked, but most states require written notice of revocation to the person named to act for you. The person named in a power of attorney to act on your behalf is commonly referred to as your "agent" or "attorney-in-fact.". With a valid power of attorney, your agent can take any action permitted in the document.

What is the power of attorney in fact?

Generally, the law of the state in which you reside at the time you sign a power of attorney will govern the powers and actions of your agent under that document.

Can an attorney in fact make gifts?

Gifts are an important tool for many estate plans, and your attorney-in-fact can make gifts on your behalf, subject to guidelines that you set forth in your power of attorney. For example, you may wish to permit your attorney-in-fact to make "annual exclusion" gifts (up to $14,000 in value per recipient per year in 2013) on your behalf ...

What is the purpose of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?

Its goal is to set out a single, standard law covering powers of attorney, so that residents of each state – whether they wish to grant a power of attorney, or have been asked to act as an agent – can clearly understand their duties, obligations, and protections. Just over half of the states have either adopted the UPOAA, or have introduced bills to do so.#N#Read More: Power of Attorney Rules

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a document giving one person, called the agent, authority to handle the affairs of another person, called the principal. Many states have passed legislation accepting what's called a Uniform Power of Attorney, making a document that's valid in one state valid in any of the others. Not all states recognize the Uniform Power of ...

Is a power of attorney valid in other states?

If the power of attorney is valid in the state where it's written and signed, and that state has passed legislation to adopt the the UPOAA, then it is also valid in every other state that adheres to the UPOAA. The named agent can carry out any action covered by the powers granted in the power of attorney document, just as if the action took place in the originating state. This also holds true if either the principal or the agent moves, after drafting the Power of Attorney document. As long as both parties still live in states using the UPOAA, the agreement is still valid. However, the document should be updated to reflect any new addresses.

Mark Steven Cohen

In my opinion, if it is valid in the state where it is executed, the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution requires that other states honor it.

David C. Garner

A carefully drafted power of attorney is valid in all 50 states. If you are contemplating such an arrangement, I would consult with an attorney. A responsible attorney may suggest other options to help care for your mother.

Is a Power of Attorney Valid Across State Lines

My question involves civil rights in the State of: If I leave the state I am in which a Power of attorney is involved in that my guardian/mother has over me does the power of attorney have any power of me while I am in another state or does it not? and I gave my guardian power of attorney to sign off documents to her regarding my assets.

Re: Is a Power of Attorney Valid Across State Lines

If you are mentally competent, you can revoke a power of attorney at any time that you choose.

In most cases, your health care documents will be honored in other states

If you regularly spend time in more than one state, it's smart to consider whether a living will, advance directive, or health care power of attorney made in your home state will be valid in the second state, too. Usually, it will be.

When Your Health Care Documents May Not Be Accepted

Some states limit the extent to which they will honor health care directives from other states, accepting the documents only so far as they comply with their own laws. And a few states are silent about whether or not they will honor documents from other states, creating a legal gray area.

Do You Have to Worry About It?

If you split your time between states that don't have perfect reciprocity, there's probably no great cause for alarm. You have a constitutional right to direct your health care, and individual states may not infringe upon that basic right.

Making Health Care Documents for Two States: Why You Shouldn't

Rarely would you want to make a set of health care documents for more than one state. If your health care instructions for each state weren't absolutely identical, signing one document could simply revoke the other -- whichever document was signed later would control.

How to Ensure Your Health Care Wishes Will Be Honored

If it doesn't make sense to make documents for the different states where you spend time, what should you do? First, do what you can to find out whether your home state's health care documents fully protect you in the second state.

What is an advance directive?

Any expression of one’s future wishes about health care is an advance directive in its broadest sense. Most state advance directive laws were intended to provide one clear pathway the public could use to document their wishes, not to eliminate all other avenues.

Is America a mobile society?

America is a very mobile society. Not only do we move around a lot, many are willing to travel to get health care, especially for complex, specialty treatment. How well do our wishes travel with us across state lines and across health systems?