what do i need power of attorney for when my spouse deploys

by Dana Yundt 9 min read

As the spouse of a deployed service member, you may need a power of attorney to handle your spouse's financial affairs or step in and make medical decisions should something happen to your spouse. By drafting a POA, your spouse will make you his agent, allowing you to act on his behalf.

Giving your spouse power of attorney will give them the ability to access your bank accounts, operate as a purchaser on your behalf if looking for a new home or rental property while you're away, or to act as your agent for other business affairs.Dec 19, 2017

Full Answer

Can I get power of attorney while my spouse is deployed?

As the spouse of a deployed service member, you may need a power of attorney to handle your spouse's financial affairs or step in and make medical decisions should something happen to your spouse. By drafting a POA, your spouse will make you his agent, allowing you to act on his behalf. United States law has special provisions for a military power of attorney, which allows …

Do I need a power of attorney if I’m married?

Without a financial power of attorney in place, your spouse or other family members may need to seek judicial appointment of a conservator in order …

How can I help my spouse prepare for a power of attorney?

The power of attorney also allows the principal to select the agent. Mental Capacity. For a power of attorney to be legally binding, the principal must have mental capacity. Without mental capacity, the principal is unable to execute a power of attorney. It is vital that parties execute a power of attorney as soon as possible.

How does a durable power of attorney work with a spouse?

Apr 15, 2021 · A specific Power of Attorney will also allow a spouse to renew a military dependent ID card that expires during deployment. You will need to get separate “specific” PoAs for each specific purpose. It is important to note that many PoAs expire after a year, so be sure it does not expire before the end of the deployment.

What is military power of attorney?

A Military Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that gives a person or entity the authority to manage legal and financial matters for you, such as signing contracts, accessing your bank account, and buying or selling real estate.

How long is a military PoA good for?

Durable: A durable power of attorney also usually takes effect when signed and lasts until it expires, until it is revoked or until either party dies. However, a durable power of attorney contains special language that continues the representative's powers even if the grantor is incapacitated.Aug 14, 2020

Does military spouse need power of attorney?

Your spouse must have either a general or a special power of attorney.Mar 17, 2022

What is a durable power of attorney?

A durable power of attorney refers to a power of attorney which typically remains in effect until the death of the principal or until the document is revoked.

What is a power of attorney?

Power of Attorney is a written document that gives you the authority to act on behalf of your service member while he or she is deployed. It comes in handy for a variety of things like moving up on the government housing list, accessing emergency assistance funding, renewing ID cards and taking care of other financial duties.

When filling out POA, do you want to choose an expiration date?

When filling out the documents, your spouse will want to choose an expiration date that coincides with their return from deployment. You do this for several reasons: 1) Once your spouse returns you will no longer need POA since he or she will be able to take care of his or her own affairs.

How to contact military OneSource?

If at any point you have a question about POA or need some help with understanding what to specify in the document, you can call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or you can reach out to your local JAG office. And hopefully the next time your spouse deploys, you’ll take care of this step before he or she leaves.

Do you need a POA for deployment?

3) It’s always a good idea to have POA throughout the length of a deployment in case an emergency comes up and you don’t have the time to obtain POA from your spouse. Before going to the notary, your spouse will need to look through the forms to make sure there are no errors.

Do you need a notary to witness your spouse signing?

The notary will need to witness your spouse signing the documents and then will need to provide their own signature/stamp to make them valid.

Can a spouse sign a power of attorney?

Here’s the General Power of Attorney form and the Special Power of Attorney form. Your spouse will fill out the appropriate information but they SHOULD NOT sign the form at the bottom. A notary must be present before your spouse can sign the document. If your spouse doesn’t have access to a computer and printer, ...

Do notaries sign and seal documents?

Notaries will not sign and seal documents with corrections on them. If your spouse makes a mistake, he or she will have to start over with new forms, so it’s important they go slow and do it right the first time! After notarizing the documents, you will want to keep a copy for your own records.

What does a POA do for a spouse?

As the spouse of a deployed service member, you may need a power of attorney to handle your spouse's financial affairs or step in and make medical decisions should something happen to your spouse. By drafting a POA, your spouse will make you his agent, allowing you to act on his behalf.

What is a military power of attorney?

United States law has special provisions for a military power of attorney, which allows the drafter of the POA to avoid some formalities that usually come with creating the document.

What is a durable POA?

Additionally, the principal may create a durable POA for health care, which allows the agent to make health care decisions for the principal if she becomes disabled and cannot make decisions for herself.

What is POA in real estate?

A POA may give the agent authority to perform a specific task for the principal, or the authority may be broad. For example, the POA may limit the agent's authority to filing taxes for a specific year or selling one piece of property owned by the principal.

What is the difference between a POA and a POA?

The main differences between a military POA and other POAs is that it allows more flexibility in the form, substance and execution of the document. This allows a deployed service member to create the document when it would otherwise be burdensome to do so.

Is POA recognized in every state?

However, so long as the POA meets the requirements for a military POA, it will be recognized in every state. References. United States Code: 10 USC § 1044a - Authority to Act as Notary. United States Code: 10 USC § 1044b - Military Powers of Attorney: Requirement for Recognition by States.

Do all states have to recognize POA?

All states are federally required to recognize a military POA, despite the fact that the POA may not meet the state's usual requirements for such a document. The state may require other POAs to be recorded with the court or notarized by an official state notary.

What rights does a power of attorney give to a spouse?

A power of attorney will grant the spouse the authority to make decisions in the event the other spouse is unable to. Protection of Assets. In the event one spouse becomes incapacitated in some form or another via accident, ...

Why do you have to have a court date for a power of attorney?

This is because a judge must sign the document. If it becomes necessary for a power of attorney and you are not able to choose your “attorney in fact”, a court date must be set to present evidence that you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. There are two main problems with this.

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

In the event your spouse does not have a power of attorney, the process to have the necessary authority is long, expensive and arduous.

Does a power of attorney last unto death?

All that means is that the power of attorney persists unto death. There is usually one for finances and a separate one for medical decisions. This is beneficial even if the spouse makes a full recovery.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a document in which the person signing the document, known as the "principal," authorizes another party, known as the "agent," to act on their behalf. The authority given to the agent is provided in the terms of the document. A power of attorney is distinguished from a conservatorship, or guardianship, ...

What are the different types of power of attorney?

Categories deal with when the authority is given and its extent. These include conventional, durable , and springing.

Why do we need a springing power of attorney?

A springing power of attorney is helpful to avoid the possibility of a conservatorship in the future and to have a power of attorney in place only if and when it's needed.

What is a conventional power of attorney?

A conventional power of attorney is often used for a limited purpose—to assist the principal in a specific task or daily activities. A conventional power of attorney ends when the principal becomes incapacitated. It is not intended to provide for the needs of the principal after incapacitation.

Can a power of attorney be used after incapacitation?

It is not intended to provide for the needs of the principal after incapacitation. A conventional power of attorney may result in the need for a conservatorship in the future.

Can a power of attorney be legally binding?

For a power of attorney to be legally binding, the principal must have mental capacity. Without mental capacity, the principal is unable to execute a power of attorney. It is vital that parties execute a power of attorney as soon as possible. Delay in doing so might mean it is too late to execute a power of attorney.

What is a specific POA?

A specific PoA allows someone to sell your vehicle, buy a house in your name, or register your child into DEERS and Tricare (if a baby is born during deployment ). A specific Power of Attorney will also allow a spouse to renew a military dependent ID card that expires during deployment.

How to adjust to deployment?

The easiest way to adjust to deployment is to keep busy and develop routines. Start a morning ritual that you look forward to. It can include coffee, a workout, watching a TV show, walking the dog—whatever gets you out of bed.

Do both spouses need to have a bank account?

Both spouses need complete access to bank accounts. This is especially important during tax time or if a spouse needs to make a payment from an individual account. Banks do not always respect a Power of Attorney, so complete the forms directly from the bank in advance.

Do spouses have internet during deployment?

If it is the servicemember, remember that they may not have an internet connection throughout the deployment. The spouse should be aware of the family’s bills and be able to take over payment plans. Note: One of the best things you can do is automate your finances to the extent possible.

Can family members go to the dentist during deployment?

During a long deployment, family members will inevitably have to make trips to the doctor or dentist without the servicemember. However, you can make things a little easier by scheduling some of your routine check-ups now.

Can you suspend your cell phone plan while deployed?

Typically, servicemembers won’t have wireless phone service overseas and won’t be driving a car during deployment. This means that you can suspend their cell phone plan. Cell phone companies will require you to submit a copy of the deployment orders if they are under contract; be sure to redact any sensitive information prior to submitting a copy of the orders. You can also reduce the amount of data on your plan to save money.

What is a power of attorney?

Generally speaking, a power of attorney is a signed document in which you give someone else the authority to act for you or to make decisions on your behalf. The two main categories of powers of attorney are financial powers of attorney and medical powers of attorney (sometimes called “health care” powers of attorney or proxies).

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

If we do not choose, we are at the mercy of a court. A judge will decide who will serve in such an important role for us.

Do powers of attorney depend on state law?

As with many legal issues, powers of attorney are governed by state law. Because of this, the names of the documents, the goals they can achieve, and even how they must be filled out depend on the laws of your state.

Can a spouse sell a house if one spouse cannot consent?

This means that if one spouse cannot consent, they other spouse will be limited in his or her ability to do sell or mortgage the property.

Can a court name a person to take care of you?

And when all’s said and done, the court may or may not name a person you would have chosen yourself to take care of you or your affairs. Should you decide to pursue medical or financial powers of attorney, contact a licensed attorney in your state.

Do you need a power of attorney in the Golden State?

The Golden State also requires that powers of attorney be either notarized or signed by two adult witnesses who meet certain requirements. Many lawyers would agree that adults need someone who can act as their power of attorney, both for financial and medical matters. We never know what the future will bring.

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

If you are married and don’t have an up-to-date power of attorney, consult with an experienced, qualified estate planning attorney and get one in place. Also, ask about the medical power of attorney, also known as an advance health care directive, so that your spouse is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf.

Why is a power of attorney important?

The power of attorney is incredibly important if you become incapacitated through a medical condition, car accident, fall, or dementia. If your spouse doesn’t have a power of attorney, authorizing him or her to step into your shoes and act on your behalf, the court will intervene.

Can a spouse be named as conservator of assets?

When the court intervenes, it may freeze your assets (even those assets you own jointly with your spouse) and your spouse may have to seek to be named as conservator of your assets. The court doesn’t always name a family member as conservator, especially if the spouse is aged.

Can you sign your spouse's name on a birthday card?

According to the old joke, “If he actually signed his name, the bank wouldn’t recognize it.”. However, except for the birthday card forging, signing your spouse’s name is illegal. This means, even if you’re married, you need a power ...

Do you need a power of attorney if you are married?

This means, even if you’re married, you need a power of attorney to authorize you and your spouse to sign each other’s names. A power of attorney is a legal document through which you authorize an agent (e.g., your spouse) to sign your name if it is inconvenient for you to do so or if you become incapacitated.

Protection of Assets

Durable Power of Attorney

  • All that means is that the power of attorney persists unto death. There is usually one for finances and a separate one for medical decisions. This is beneficial even if the spouse makes a full recovery. They can be revoked at any time, but it is much more difficult to have put in place when the incapacitated spouse is unable to initiate the legal d...
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Alternative Solution

  • One other consideration that you may want to look at is the ability to name a separate power of attorney. If you feel your spouse may not be the best person to represent your interests, you may choose another family member and in some instances, a guardianshipwith court supervision can protect your assets and medical decisions if you think your family will resort to fighting.
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Widerman Malek Attorneys

  • If you have any questions regarding power of attorney or any other legal matters, our attorneys at Widerman Malek would be happy to help. Contact ustoday to see how we can help you.
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