While Maine does not technically require you to get your POA notarized, notarization is very strongly recommended. Under Maine 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.
In the state of Maine, an agent may be authorized to manage finances and/or make health care decisions. This is known as the "Durable Power of Attorney" (DPOA) for finances. A DPOA for finances allows an agent to spend money on your behalf and manage your property.
Verify the Authenticity of the Power of Attorney The presence of a notary's stamp and signature is usually enough evidence that the power is a legitimate document. If you're concerned, run an internet search for the notary and ask him or her to verify that the stamp on the document is the notary's official seal.
The 4 types of power of attorney are General Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney, Special or Limited Power of Attorney and Springing 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.
A Maine revocation power of attorney should be issued when someone wishes to cancel a previous appointment of principal power, whether it be a durable power of attorney, health care power of attorney, or limited power of attorney. It is necessary to have it notarized and inform the agent it has been revoked.
If the PoA was sent to us by post, the granter or the sender or an attorney exercising their powers can request a duplicate copy of the certificate of registration from us. The duplicate copy will always incorporate a copy of the registered PoA. A fee may be charged for this service.
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.
Since the 1st October 2007, it is no longer possible to make an Enduring Power of Attorney. A Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney. However, Enduring Powers of Attorney, signed before the 1st October 2007, are in fact still valid.
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.
An ordinary power of attorney is only valid while you have the mental capacity to make your own decisions. If you want someone to be able to act on your behalf if there comes a time when you don't have the mental capacity to make your own decisions you should consider setting up a lasting power of attorney.
You can write a POA in two forms: general or limited. 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.
You can make several different types of POAs in Maine. In particular, many estate plans include two POAs that are effective even if you become incapacitated:
Some private companies offer forms or templates with blanks that you can fill out to create your POA. However, because these forms are often full of legalese, it's not always apparent how to fill them out.
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.
Your POA is effective immediately unless it explicitly states that it takes effect at a future date.
Any power of attorney automatically ends at your death. A durable POA also ends if:
The Maine power of attorney act contains an important new feature with respect to the obligation of third parties to accept and act upon a power of attorney. This addresses a problem which often arose under the old law by which a financial institution or other third party refused to accept the authority of the agent to act for the principal. ...
The new law allows the drafter to pick and choose the powers granted and may include all powers or only limited powers. The explicit statutory statement of powers will make it easier for a third party to be sure that the agent is authorized to engage in a particular transaction. Anyone who wants to take advantage of Maine’s new durable power ...
A durable power of attorney can avoid the cost and complexity of guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, as the agent can act generally without the need for court appointment and supervision. There are dangers in granting unlimited durable powers of attorney because the agent may act in his or her own self-interest, ...
There are dangers in granting unlimited durable powers of attorney because the agent may act in his or her own self-interest, and not consider the welfare or wishes of the principal. For example, with unlimited power, the agent could convert the principal’s property to the agent’s own use or treat the principal’s property and finances in a way ...
A power of attorney is a document in which one person, the “principal”, appoints another person, the “agent”, to act on his or her behalf, conferring authority on the agent to perform certain acts or functions on behalf of the principal. A power of attorney is “durable” if it continues in effect even if ...
Where powers of attorney become effective upon incapacity or disability, if the principal has not stated otherwise, the power of attorney becomes effective when a physician, attorney, judge or other governmental official states in writing that the principal is incapacitated. This is a substantial change in the law.
Although Maine law does provide a means of managing a disabled person’s property through a court ordered and supervised conservatorship, the legal requirements for setting up a conservatorship are complex and time consuming.
A Maine durable power of attorney is a document that allows a person (“principal”) to grant authority to someone else (“agent”) and act on their behalf for a variety of financial purposes. The agent is recommended to be a person that is closely trusted such as a spouse or family member. The term “durable” refers to the form’s ability ...
Definition of “Durable”. “Durable,” with respect to a power of attorney, means not terminated by the principal’s incapacity ( §5-902 (2) ).
The Principal may choose however many powers to grant his or her Agent from this list but must choose at least one . To avoid graning the Agent the power to act in his or her name with banks and other financial institutions, the Principal only needs to leave this item unmarked and therefore unapproved.
Although the Maine Revised Statutes do offer an Agent’s Certification Form, the legislature has not created a sample statutory power of attorney form.
A Maine durable power of attorney form is a document that grants someone (the “agent”) the legal authority to act and make decisions for another person (the “principal”) in the state of Maine. Unlike a regular non-durable power of attorney (POA), a durable power of attorney ...
The principal needs to mark on the form which areas of their life they want to give the agent legal power over. This can be general authority (e.g., operation of a business) or specific authority (e.g., make a loan). They can also write specific instructions about which actions the agent can perform on their behalf.
For an agent to sign on your behalf, contact the third party or place the DPOA will be used, and provide your ID and that of your agent. Your agent can use a power of attorney to conduct almost any legal matter that you can do (if granted the authority).
Although a durable power of attorney can’t be revoked if the principal is already incapacitated, it’s possible for a third-party individual to override a power of attorney if they suspect an agent of abuse or negligence.
The Maine durable power of attorney form allows individuals to appoint a representative to deal with any and all of their financial matters in the event of their incapacitation. The agent must be capable of running or closing any businesses the principal owns, in addition to managing their investments.
The Maine general power of attorney form is a contract that appoints an individual (attorney-in-fact) to handle any and all monetary decisions on the principal’s behalf. All actions must be made to the principal’s benefit and the attorney-in-fact may not be compensated unless the principal has agreed to do so.
The Maine limited power of attorney form allows for a resident to assign special tasks or duties to someone else for restricted use. Typical tasks include accepting mail on another’s behalf, property transactions, and real estate closings. Other possible reasons could be to pick up a vehicle or for any other monetary-related activity.
The Maine medical power of attorney form (called the “advance directive” form) consists of two separate documents: the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care.
The Maine minor power of attorney form enables parents to assign a third party the rights to make educational and medical decisions for their minor child. This type of authorization is usually used when the parent is absent due to work, military service, training, or other important obligations.
The Maine real estate power of attorney allows an individual to choose an agent to manage their real estate and perform other related transactions.
The Maine tax power of attorney form (2848-ME) allows residents to hire a professional accountant or tax attorney to prepare and file their state taxes. Typically it is an accountant or tax attorney but can be any person you wish. The contract is typically attached to the tax filing.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document. It gives a person, usually a trusted friend or family member, the power to act for you, or make certain kinds of decisions for you.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance does not work in this area of law. Here are some resources where you can: