my mother is in a coma and i am her designated power of attorney. now what

by Lester Kirlin 7 min read

A power of attorney can only be signed by someone who is in charge of all their faculties, so if your mother is in a coma, she cannot sign and give away her power of attorney to anyone. You can obtain a conservatorship, if it is absolutely necessary that you have control over her person or her estate prior to her death.

Full Answer

Can I get power of attorney for my mother in coma?

* This will flag comments for moderators to take action. A power of attorney can only be signed by someone who is in charge of all their faculties, so if your mother is in a coma, she cannot sign and give away her power of attorney to anyone.

What should I do if my mother is in a coma?

Breathe deep, take your time, get solid advice, move slowly and surely. * This will flag comments for moderators to take action. A power of attorney can only be signed by someone who is in charge of all their faculties, so if your mother is in a coma, she cannot sign and give away her power of attorney to anyone.

Do I need a power of attorney for a medical emergency?

Medical emergencies arrive without advance warning, but a prudent person can prepare for the unexpected with an appropriate power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document appointing someone, known as the agent, to act in your place in managing your finances or health care.

What happens if a person with power of attorney is incapacitated?

If the person who is granting the power of attorney is incapacitated, then they cannot create a power of attorney for another person to sign. The interested party can petition the court for guardianship. Guardianship can be over the person, the property or the person and property of the incapacitated person.

What happens to a power of attorney when you are incapacitated?

If you wish protection in case of a coma or other incapacity, be sure to create a durable power of attorney; regular powers of attorney become invalid if and when you become incapacitated. A power of attorney that does not become active until you are incapacitated is termed springing.

What happens if you don't have a power of attorney?

Consequences. If you fall into a coma without having prepared a power of attorney, your spouse or family must go to court to get someone appointed to handle your finances or make your health care decisions. Not only is this a burden on family members in an already stressful time, but attorney fees and court costs can be expensive.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document appointing someone, known as the agent, to act in your place in managing your finances or health care. Many types of powers of attorney exist but only those termed durable remain effective if you become incapacitated.

What is a financial power of attorney?

Financial and Medical. Most powers of attorney relate either to finances or to health decisions, and the American Bar Association recommends that you prepare a separate document for each. The person you name in a financial power of attorney pays your bills, manages your investments and collects rent and revenues for you while you are in a coma.

Can you execute a power of attorney?

You must think ahead if you wish your agent to act for you if you fall into a coma or suffer other medical incapacity. Only someone of sound mind can execute a power of attorney, for obvious reasons. Once you are in a coma, it is impossible for you to select an agent, and even if you are slipping in and out of mental capacity, ...

Can a power of attorney be invalid?

If you wish protection in case of a coma or other incapacity, be sure to create a durable power of attorney; regular powers of attorney become invalid if and when you become incapacitated. A power of attorney that does not become active until you are incapacitated is termed springing.

Recent Questions

Mom's in a nursing home. My son is POA for finances and Healthcare. For reasons unknown to me, my son has forbidden my visitation. Advice?

Popular Questions

Can family siblings request my moms financial statements on a monthly basis even though I have Power of Attorney?

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What to do if your mother is in a coma?

Hopefully your mother has a will or trust. If she comes out of the coma and is mentally competent, you should consider having a trust, will and power of attorney prepared. If not, you will be required to go through probate court if she has assets. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

What to do if your parents didn't plan for your life?

However, if they didn't do the planning during their lives, there is little you can do now. Personal note: don't sweat the financial stuff. Say goodbye to your parents, and allow yourself time to grieve. Don't be in a rush to start settling financial matters.

Does Utah have an emergency power of attorney?

Utah does not have an emergency power of attorney. Some other states might, but you need to check with an attorney in the state where your parents reside. Report Abuse. Report Abuse. Please explain why you are flagging this content: * This will flag comments for moderators to take action. 0 out of 500 characters.

Can you get a power of attorney if you cannot sign a document?

There is no power of attorney you can get for a person who cannot sign the document; if that person were going to be in a coma for an extended period, a conservatorship (court proceeding) would be needed, but that will be moot once the person passes away.

Can my mom sign a power of attorney?

Best wishes for your family at this difficult time. Even if death is near, your Mom can sign a Power of Attorney or even a Will if she has requisite capacity. If she passes away without a Will, her assets will pass according to the laws of intestacy of your state. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

Is there an emergency power of attorney in Missouri?

Richard Keyes (Unclaimed Profile) Unfortunately, in Missouri there is no emergency power of attorney if a person is in a coma. The person executing the power of attorney naming the attorney in fact has to have the ability to sign the power of attorney or the ability to authorize someone else to sign it on their behalf.

Can you give away a power of attorney to a mother?

A power of attorney can only be signed by someone who is in charge of all their faculties, so if your mother is in a coma, she cannot sign and give away her power of attorney to anyone. You can obtain a conservatorship, if it is absolutely necessary that you have control over her person or her estate prior to her death.

What to do if you are unsure of the meaning of a power of attorney?

If you are at all unsure of the meaning or consequences of signing the document, consult with an attorney to clarify everything first. The attorney will ensure that the document you sign is legally binding and that it conveys all of the powers you want it to, but nothing more. As with any document, the person that is signing and granting power of attorney must have the mental capacity to do so and must know what they are signing, or the document will not be valid.

What is a power of attorney for health care?

Health Care: A health care power of attorney authorizes the agent to make medical decisions on behalf of the principal in the event that the principal is unconscious, or not mentally competent to make their own medical decisions.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Help with a Power of Attorney?

You should definitely consider contacting a local estate planning attorney to assist in the drafting of your power of attorney. An experienced attorney at law will be able to ensure that the document is enforceable and your rights are protected.

What is Abby's degree?

Abby has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and supported men and women with developmental disabilities for over a decade before earning her Juris Doctorate in 2017. She still serves on the local committee responsible for reviewing the necessity of any rights restrictions imposed on individuals with developmental disabilities. Her favorite part of law school and practicing law is the research and writing. When not working, Abby loves being outside, spending time with family, watching documentaries, and cooking. You can learn more about her from her Linkedin profile.

What is an example of a power of attorney?

An example would be if someone develops dementia as they age or is unconscious after having been in a car accident. If a valid power of attorney exists prior to the principal’s incapacitation, then the agent has full authority to make decisions on the principal’s behalf, to the extent they were granted in the power of attorney document.

Why is a power of attorney important?

A power of attorney is especially important in the event of incapacitation. Someone is considered legally incapacitated when their decision-making skills are either temporarily or permanently impaired due to injury, illness, or a disability.

What to do if you are unsure of the meaning of a document?

If you are at all unsure of the meaning or consequences of signing the document, consult with an attorney to clarify everything first. The attorney will ensure that the document you sign is legally binding and that it conveys all of the powers you want it to, but nothing more. As with any document, the person that is signing and granting power ...

Can you get paid from your mother's income?

You can get paid from your mother's income and assets to be her caregiver.

Can a POA be a family caregiver?

Copy and paste to your web bowser. There are many, many more websites that have examples of family caregiver information and contracts. Some states will not allow the POA or Guardian to be a Family Caregiver, so you need to talk to an Elder Care Attorney to make sure that you are following your state's regulations.

Why can't Forrest's mother make medical decisions?

The Virginia hospital treating Forrest would not allow his mother to make medical decisions on his behalf or access his medical information due to HIPAA. According to the news story, the doctors at the hospital were the ones who were deemed to be the decision makers.

How to contact Rita about her husband's death?

Rita, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. Please give us a call at 704-496-2770.

What is a personal representative?

However, a doctor is required to release information to a “personal representative,” which includes people named in a health care directive, health care power of attorney, or durable power of attorney that includes the power to make healthcare decisions. Simplicity.

Who can consent to medical treatment in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the following people, in this order, are authorized to consent to medical treatment on behalf of an incapacitated patient : (1) A health care agent appointed pursuant to a valid health care power of attorney [1] (unless the court has appointed a guardian and suspended the health care agent’s power); (2) A court-appointed guardian;

Can a health care agent be appointed to you if you are incapacitated?

It's interesting that a health care agent can be appointed to you if you're incapacitated. My little sister was just in a bad car wreck and she's been in critical condition for about a day now. Maybe I should see about getting her a healthcare attorney.

Can a hospital release medical information to family members?

If you draft a health care directive, you can direct the hospital to make decisions based on YOUR wishes, not those of your loved one. Under HIPAA, a federal law that applies to medical facilities and patients in North Carolina, a physician may release medical information to family members in an emergency.

Can a spouse make medical decisions?

Yes . If you and your spouse are informally or legally separated, the spouse may still be able to make medical decisions on your behalf prior to your divorce. There is no case law on this issue. If you file a health care directive, the hospital must comply with your wishes.

Can you sell your house if your mother is still able to convey her wishes?

If your mother is still able to convey her wishes, you cannot sell the house. Qualification for Medicaid will be an issue whether you sell the house or not.

Can you act against a woman's wishes?

No, you cannot act contrary to her wishes if she is competent unless a Court has appointed you as her Conservator. It also seems from your question that you need the advice of an attorney who specializes in Medicaid matters. Get this advice before you proceed further.

Can you address a power of attorney in Nevada?

You do not address the type of power of attorney, durable, general, etc. Also, you do not address if she has been adjudicated incompetent. In Nevada, I would urge you to speak with an attorney to determine if the property should be sold now, or simply allow a Medicaid lien to attach.

Can you sell a home with a POA?

Under a POA you may have the ability to sell the home but it may not be the wisest thing. You can own a home many times and still qualify for Medicaid. The state may then have a claim on the estate. I recommend seeing an attorney who specialties in Medicaid.

Can a POA act under a power of attorney?

It depends what the POA says. Generally if she has capacity you cannot act under the power of attorney but each POA is different. Certainly if she does not want to sell you have a struggle on your hands.