how to prepare a power of attorney in georgia

Does a power of attorney have to be notarized in Georgia?

Power of Attorney is created simply by composing and signing a document that grants this authority. In the State of Georgia, two adult witnesses are required to authenticate Power of Attorney. While it is not required, getting the document notarized is also a good idea.Aug 5, 2019

How many witnesses are required for a power of attorney in Georgia?

Two witnessesTwo witnesses are required to attest to a power of attorney, one being a witness named in OCGA 44-2-15. In that statute, a Notary Public is expressly listed.

Who prepare the power of attorney?

Preparing a Power of Attorney POA mentions the name of the specific person who acts as an authority in a specified legal or financial authority. In POA, the one who gives the authority is called a principal or a donor.

Does power of attorney need to be notarized?

If a person wants to authorise someone to act as a power of attorney on his behalf, it must be signed and notarised by a certified notary advocate, who is able to declare that you are competent at the time of signing the document to issue the said power of attorney.

How long does it take to get power of attorney?

It usually takes 8 to 10 weeks for The Office of the Public Guardian to register a power of attorney, so long as there are no mistakes on the form. It may take longer if there are issues they want to look into, although this is rare.

What three decisions Cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?

You cannot give an attorney the power to: act in a way or make a decision that you cannot normally do yourself – for example, anything outside the law. consent to a deprivation of liberty being imposed on you, without a court order.

How do you write power of attorney?

How to Write a Power of Attorney FormStep 1: Designate an Agent. First, write your name and address at the top of the document (you are the principal). ... Step 2: Grant General Authority and Specific Authority. ... Step 3: Set the Duration of Power of Attorney. ... Step 4: Sign the Power of Attorney.

What is the best power of attorney to have?

A general power of attorney allows the agent to make a wide range of decisions. This is your best option if you want to maximize the person's freedom to handle your assets and manage your care. A limited power of attorney restricts the agent's power to particular assets.Mar 19, 2019

Where is the power of attorney form in Georgia?

The Georgia legislature has created a Statutory Form Power of Attorney, which may be found in the Official Code of Georgia, Title 10, Chapter 6B, Section 10-6B-70. The form states that it becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the section titled "SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.".

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document whereby one person, called the “agent," is given authority to act on behalf of another person, called the “principal." To understand POAs, you should be familiar with a few terms and concepts:

What is a POA in Georgia?

Georgia Financial POA Basics. The Georgia law covering financial POAs is found in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, found in Title 10, Chapter 6B, of the Official Code of Georgia. A POA must meet all four of the following basic requirements for a power of attorney in Georgia: It must be signed by the principal.

What is a POA?

A POA that continues in effect after the principal becomes incapacitated. Springing power of attorney. A POA that only becomes effective if the principal becomes incapacitated. Healthcare power of attorney. A POA that allows your agent to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to make or communicate decisions.

When did the new POA form go into effect?

A new statutory financial POA form went into effect on July 1, 2017. Although the law states that a Georgia POA created before that date is still valid, and an out-of-state POA is valid, it is a good idea to create a new POA using the current form.

Can a notary be a witness?

The notary may not be a witness. The principal, witnesses, anyone signing for the principal, and notary must all be present when they sign. Obtaining a power of attorney in Georgia has been made somewhat easy since the Georgia legislature has created standardized forms for both financial and healthcare POAs.

Does Georgia have a POA form?

Georgia Healthcare POA Form. The Georgia legislature has created a suggested Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care. The principal must sign and date the form in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the form. It does not need to be notarized.

What Types of Power of Attorneys Are Available in Georgia?

You can make several different types of POAs in Georgia. In particular, many estate plans include two POAs:

What Are the Legal Requirements of a Financial POA in Georgia?

For your POA to be valid in Georgia, it must meet certain requirements.

Steps for Making a Financial Power of Attorney in Georgia

Georgia offers a statutory form (a form drafted by the state legislature) with blanks that you can fill out to create your POA. For a more user-friendly experience, you can try a software program like WillMaker, which guides you through a series of questions to arrive at a POA that meets your specific aims and is valid in your state.

Who Can Be Named an Agent (Attorney-in-Fact) in Georgia?

Legally speaking, you can name any competent adult to serve as your agent. But you'll want to take into account certain practical considerations, such as the person's trustworthiness and geographical location. For more on choosing agents, see What Is a Power of Attorney.

When Does My Durable Financial POA Take Effect?

Your POA is effective immediately unless it explicitly states that it takes effect at a future date.

When Does My Financial Power of Attorney End?

Any power of attorney automatically ends at your death. A durable POA also ends if:

How many witnesses do you need to sign a power of attorney in Georgia?

With the limited power of attorney forms, your principal’s authority is restricted to a few specific scenarios. To designate a power of attorney in Georgia, two adult witnesses should sign your document. Plus, although it isn’t necessary, paying a notary public to act as one of the witnesses is often advisable.

What is a Georgia POA form?

To determine what sort of State of Georgia POA form is right for your situation , it is wise to consult a knowledgeable Georgia estate planning attorney. General powers of attorney provide broad legal authority over your affairs– finances, real estate, and more– to your representative. With the limited power of attorney forms, your principal’s authority is restricted to a few specific scenarios.

What is the UPOAA?

On July 1, 2017, the Georgia POA Statute, by way of House Bill 221, created the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA). The UPOAA added a new Chapter beginning at Code S ection 10-6B-1 to the Official Code of Georgia’s Title 10. The State of Georgia’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act applies to most powers of attorney.

What is the POA document?

When you have a Power of Attorney, he or she must present the original POA document when acting on your behalf. The agent making financial or medical decisions for you produces the paperwork to the bank or health care representative. Then he or she signs their own name followed by “Attorney in Fact for your name.”

What is a financial POA?

A financial POA allows the person to manage the monetary decisions of another. The other POA handles their health care/medical decisions. Georgia code provides a general medical form for a power of attorney. The process for filing a Power of Attorney document is relatively easy and inexpensive, and it can be a necessary component ...

What happens if a POA is not listed?

Therefore, if a particular responsibility is not listed on a POA, the agent is not allowed to make decisions regarding it. The State of Georgia has a Georgia Statutory Form for financial power of attorney that is set out in the law O.C.G.A. §10-6-142.

Why do people need a POA?

There are many reasons to have a POA, specifically incapacity. Most people look for the power of attorney if they are facing unfavorable circumstances. For example, if you have to work overseas and want someone to deal with your stuff or are caught by a severe illness that would worsen over time.

What is a power of attorney in Georgia?

A power of attorney is a legal document that grants an individual rights to make financial choices on your behalf. Whether you hire someone or find a free Georgia power of attorney, Georgia law requires an official document signed by you as well as two adult witnesses.

What is a minor power of attorney?

A minor power of attorney allows a biological grandparent or step-grandparent to care for underage children if their parents are unable to. Reasons that parents may not be present include death or hardship.

What is durable power?

Durable power refers to the authority you give someone to make end-of-life decisions on your behalf. According to Georgia law, your durable POA must consent to take on this role. They also must indicate whether they agree or refuse to consent to specific situations, such as withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures.

What is advance directive for health care?

Using the Advance Directive for Health Care designed by the state of Georgia, medical POAs have the right to make any necessary decisions about your health care if you’re unable to do so yourself.

What is a power of attorney?

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. The meaning of authority over subjects listed on this form is explained in O.C.G.A. Chapter 6B of Title 10.

What happens when you accept a power of attorney?

When you accept the authority granted under this power of attorney, a special legal relationship is created between you and the principal. This relationship imposes upon you legal duties that continue until you resign or the power of attorney is terminated or revoked.

What does "agent" mean in law?

'Agent' means a person granted authority to act in the place of an individual, whether denominated by such term , attorney-in-fact, or otherwise. Such term shall include a co-agent, successor agent, and a person to which authority is delegated.

How to accept an appointment as an agent under a power of attorney?

person accepts appointment as an agent under a power of attorney by exercising authority or performing duties as an agent or by any other assertion or conduct indicating acceptance; unless otherwise stated in the power of attorney.

What is a Statutory Financial Power of Attorney?

This document contains information about the "Statutory Financial Power of Attorney." It allows you to name one or more persons to help you handle your financial affairs. Depending on your individual circumstances, you can give this person complete or limited power to act on your behalf. This document does not give someone the power to make medical decisions or personal health decisions for you.

Can a principal designate two or more coagents?

A principal may designate two or more persons to act as coagents.  Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, coagents shall exercise their authority independently of each other and do not have to be in agreement.

Can a person rely on a power of attorney?

person may rely upon the power of attorney as if the power of attorney were genuine, valid, and still in effect, the agent's authority were genuine, valid, and still in effect, and the agent had not exceeded and had properly exercised the authority, if: