what is a secondary power of attorney

by Prof. Frederic Lind III 9 min read

A dual power attorney, as the name suggests, is a power of attorney where a person (the principal) names two individuals as his or her attorney-in-fact (or agents). Typically, the attorneys-in-fact will be given powers to make decisions for and on behalf of the principal.

A principal may designate one or more successor agents to act if an agent resigns, dies, becomes incapacitated, is not qualified to serve, or declines to serve. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, a successor agent has the same authority as that granted to the original agent.Feb 13, 2020

Full Answer

What is power of attorney and how does it work?

Apr 14, 2018 · Otherwise as a secondary you have no authority to act, and no authority over the primary agent, until the primary is unable or unwilling to act, or is removed by mom if she has capacity to do so. This would in part depend on the language of the document itself.

What are general powers of attorney?

Jan 20, 2022 · A dual power attorney, as the name suggests, is a power of attorney where a person (the principal) names two individuals as his or her attorney-in-fact (or agents). Typically, the attorneys-in-fact will be given powers to make decisions for and on behalf of the principal.

What exactly is a power of attorney?

Mar 23, 2010 · You may want to involve an attorney from NJ just to be sure. Generally, all that would be required would be for your sister to draft a written resignation as power of attorney. But to be sure you should check with a NJ attorney because I am not a NJ attorney and laws differ from state to state. Hope this helps.

Why should I have a power of attorney?

Apr 17, 2022 · A dual power of attorney or joint power of attorney is a legal document that gives rights and power to two named persons. These persons are referred to as agents or attorneys-in-fact, and they have the right to manage the financial affairs or make health care decisions for the principal, the person who grants them their authority and rights.

image

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a document that lets you name someone to make decisions on your behalf. This appointment can take effect immediately if you become unable to make those decisions on your own.

What is a power of attorney for health care?

A health care power of attorney grants your agent authority to make medical decisions for you if you are unconscious, mentally incompetent, or otherwise unable to make decisions on your own. While not the same thing as a living will, many states allow you to include your preference about being kept on life support.

Is a power of attorney valid if you are mentally competent?

A power of attorney is valid only if you are mentally competent when you sign it and, in some cases, incompetent when it goes into effect. If you think your mental capability may be questioned, have a doctor verify it in writing.

What is a POA?

A power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint a person or organization to manage your property, financial, or medical affairs if you become unable to do so.

What powers can an agent exercise?

You can specify exactly what powers an agent may exercise by signing a special power of attorney. This is often used when one cannot handle certain affairs due to other commitments or health reasons. Selling property (personal and real), managing real estate, collecting debts, and handling business transactions are some ...

Why do you need multiple agents?

Multiple agents can ensure more sound decisions, acting as checks and balances against one another. The downside is that multiple agents can disagree and one person's schedule can potentially delay important transactions or signings of legal documents. If you appoint only one agent, have a backup.

What is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is someone responsible for managing some or all of another person's affairs. The fiduciary must act prudently and in a way that is fair to the person whose affairs he or she is managing. Someone who violates those duties can face criminal charges or can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.

Justin B. Hopkins

Probably not, if it was drafted correctly. It depends on the language of the succession paragraph.#N#Was the original drafted by a lawyer?#N#A notarized resignation letter should be sufficient.

Steven J. Fromm

You may want to involve an attorney from NJ just to be sure. Generally, all that would be required would be for your sister to draft a written resignation as power of attorney. But to be sure you should check with a NJ attorney because I am not a NJ attorney and laws differ from state to state...

Can you have more than one power of attorney?

It’s ok to choose more than one agent when you create multiple powers of attorney as long as you realize that each agent should have a particular responsibility. For example, if you create healthcare and financial powers of attorney, naming a different agent under each is fine. In fact, it’s probably a good idea in some situations because different people may be better at, for example, making financial decisions than others.

Can you name alternate agents in a power of attorney?

It’s also a very good idea to name alternate or replacement agents in each power of attorney you create. A replacement agent will take over the original agent’s responsibilities if the original agent is no longer able or willing to serve. In fact, choosing two or more replacement agents is something you’ll probably want to do for each power of attorney you create .

Do estate plans have powers of attorney?

A lot of estate plans include different types of powers of attorney. While these documents are very useful, there are some practical limitations you should know about before you make a decision about the agent you choose through your power of attorney.

image