what is durable financial power of attorney arizona

by Elza Streich 9 min read

An Arizona durable (financial) power of attorney is a document that allows a person (the principal) to forward their decision-making power to another person (the agent) regarding financial matters. The form is especially useful in the event the principal is no longer able to make decisions for themselves due to mental instability.

An Arizona durable (financial) power of attorney is a document that allows a person (the principal) to forward their decision-making power to another person (the agent) regarding financial matters.Dec 22, 2021

Full Answer

Why do you need a durable financial power of attorney?

In Arizona, unlike many other states, a power of attorney is not durable by default (meaning it won't remain effective after your incapacitation). To be durable, your power of attorney must include words such as, "This power of attorney is not affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal or lapse of time." (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 14-5501(B)(1).)

How can I become a financial power of attorney?

Under Arizona law, a durable power of attorney MUST contain language expressing that it can be exercised if you (aka the principal) become incapacitated and no matter how much time passes from the time you create the power of attorney. Without that language, the power of attorney will not be effective after you become incapacitated, which would defeat the entire purpose for …

Can a durable power of attorney set aside money?

What is a Durable Financial Power of Attorney in Arizona? A Durable Power of Attorney is typically included as an important document in a properly drafted set of estate planning documents. This particular Power of Attorney is referred to as a “Durable” Financial Power of Attorney because, unlike other powers of attorney, the rights granted in a Durable Financial Power of Attorney …

How is the durable power of attorney activated in Arizona?

A. A durable power of attorney is a written instrument by which a principal designates another person as the principal's agent. The instrument shall contain words that demonstrate the principal's intent that the authority conferred in the durable power of attorney may be exercised: 1.

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Does Arizona recognize a durable power of attorney?

In Arizona, durable financial powers of attorney are generally granted by preparing a written document outlining the powers. The person granting the powers signs the document before a notary and one witness.Jan 28, 2021

Does a durable power of attorney need to be notarized in Arizona?

In Arizona, in addition to other legal requirements, a financial power of attorney must be signed, witnessed in writing by a person other than the agent, the agent's spouse, the agent's children or the notary public, who confirms you are at least 18, of sound mind and under no constraint or undue influence and it must ...Aug 20, 2013

What does durable mean in 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 different about durable power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) authorizes someone else to handle certain matters, such as finances or health care, on your behalf. If a power of attorney is durable, it remains in effect if you become incapacitated, such as due to illness or an accident.Jul 13, 2021

How do I get a financial power of attorney in Arizona?

How to Write1 – Download the Arizona General Power of Attorney. ... 2 – Choose the Type of Power of Attorney To Be Granted. ... 3 – Define The Principal and Attorney-in-fact. ... 4 – Mark the Sections That Define The Principal Authority Delegated To the Attorney-In-Fact. ... 5 – Providing a Time Frame to the Power of Attorney.More items...•Dec 21, 2021

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

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.

Can a power of attorney transfer money to themselves?

Attorneys can even make payments to themselves. However, as with all other payments they must be in the best interests of the donor. This can be difficult to determine and may cause a conflict of interests between the interests of an Attorney and the best interests of their donor.

Can a family member override a power of attorney?

The Principal can override either type of POA whenever they want. However, other relatives may be concerned that the Agent (in most cases a close family member like a parent, child, sibling, or spouse) is abusing their rights and responsibilities by neglecting or exploiting their loved one.Nov 3, 2019

What is the difference between a durable and nondurable POA?

A nondurable power of attorney can help you complete tasks without having to be physically present or do everything yourself. Compared to a durable power of attorney, a nondurable POA generally involves less risk and more legal protections because you can set explicit limits on what is allowed and for how long.Feb 26, 2021

What is the difference between general power of attorney and special power of attorney?

Difference Between General And Special Power Of Attorney A General power of Attorney is very much different from a Special power of Attorney. The GPA always confers a general power of performing while the Special power of Attorney confers only a specific power to perform any particular act or task.

What is the difference between durable and non durable POA?

Both documents give the agent very broad financial powers, but can be more limited if you decide to limit the agent's powers. In the case of a non-durable power of attorney, the agent is generally authorized to act once you sign the document, but the agent's authority ceases when and if you become incapacitated.

What does a POA do?

But what EXACTLY does a POA do? Simply put, a POA gives someone to do just about anything you could do yourself, such as open bank accounts, transfer money, pay bills, hire professionals for help, deal with lawsuits, refuse medical care, change doctors, and more.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document you can create/sign to give another person (known as the agent) the ability to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf.

Can a POA be witnessed?

Also, if only witnessed by one person, that person cannot be someone who will receive anything from you via a testamentary document (such as a Will). Although a health care POA only needs to be witnessed by one person or notarized, best practice would be to have it witnessed and notarized. Compare A.R.S. 14-5501 .

Can a durable power of attorney take effect right away?

In contrast, a durable power of attorney wouldn’t take effect right away. Rather, it only becomes effective once you become incapacitated. Importantly, (and where the name comes from), the power of attorney is NOT affected by your disability or incapacity. Under Arizona law, a durable power of attorney MUST contain language expressing ...

Can a power of attorney be used after being incapacitated in Arizona?

Without that language, the power of attorney will not be effective after you become incapacitated, ...

Do you need a notary seal for a POA?

This requirement is intended to protect people from being coerced into signing a POA. Finally, the POA needs to be signed before a notary and contain the notary’s seal . For a health care POA, the witness also cannot be a health care provider involved in your care.

Do you get paid for POA?

Typically, no. An agent under a POA will not get paid unless payment provisions are specifically spelled out in the POA, or there is a specific contract addressing payment. Almost universally, for estate planning, your POA will not get paid for his/her acts as agent. Thus, whomever you pick will need to be someone who will want to help you out as ...

What is a durable power of attorney in Arizona?

An Arizona durable (financial) power of attorney is a document that allows a person (known as the “principal”) to forward his or her decision-making powers to someone else (a person known as the “agent”) for financial matters only. The form is especially useful in the event the principal is no longer able to make decisions for themselves due ...

What is a witness declaration?

(18) Witness Declaration. A person who can attest to the testimony provided as being true and who has physically observed the Principal sign this document must be named in the final declaration made by this document.

What does "to do and perform every and all acts required" mean?

The Principal will also need to indicate if the Attorney-in-Fact may act in other areas of his or her life that have not necessarily been covered by this document under the assumption that such behavior is the result of the Principal’s instructions and/or approval.

What is principal in Arizona?

The Arizona Principal is the person determined to grant the same authority he or she holds over certain matters in his or her life to an Agent (commonly referred to as an Attorney-in-Fact). In addition to naming the Principal, his or her address information will also need to be documented.

Does Arizona have a power of attorney?

Every general non-durable power of attorney issued in the State of Arizona must include a defined effective or start date and predetermined expiration date if it is to be considered a well-developed delegation of power. A power document such as this may only be a general regular power of attorney if its start date and termination date are declared ...

What is a Durable Financial Power of Attorney in Arizona?

A Durable Power of Attorney is typically included as an important document in a properly drafted set of estate planning documents.

Why Do I Need a Durable Financial Power of Attorney in Arizona?

Estate planning attorneys will create a Durable Financial Power of Attorney as part of a properly drafted estate plan to ensure someone who you designate will have the legal authority to manage your personal finances for your benefit in the event you were to become incapacitated or were to pass away.

What is the written instrument required by subsection A of the Power of Attorney Act?

The written instrument may demonstrate the principal's intent required by subsection A of this section using either of the following statements or similar language: 1. "This power of attorney is not affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal or lapse of time.". 2.

What is a durable power of attorney?

A. A durable power of attorney is a written instrument by which a principal designates another person as the principal's agent. The instrument shall contain words that demonstrate the principal's intent that the authority conferred in the durable power of attorney may be exercised: 1.

What are the execution requirements for the creation of a power of attorney?

The execution requirements for the creation of a power of attorney provided in subsection D of this section do not apply if the principal creating the power of attorney is: 1. A person other than a natural person. 2. Any person , if the power of attorney to be created is a power coupled with an interest.

What does "signed" mean in a notary?

3. Is witnessed by a person other than the agent, the agent's spouse, the agent's children or the notary public. 4.

What is a power coupled with an interest?

For the purposes of this paragraph, "power coupled with an interest" means a power that forms a part of a contract and is security for money or for the performance of a valuable act. F.

Who can make financial decisions on the principal's behalf?

Except as provided in section 28-370, an adult, known as the principal, may designate another adult, known as the agent, to make financial decisions on the principal's behalf by executing a written power of attorney that satisfies all of the following requirements: 1. Contains language that clearly indicates that the principal intends ...

Can a fiduciary be an agent under a power of attorney?

F. A person whose license as a fiduciary has been suspended or revoked pursuant to section 14-5651 may not serve as an agent under a power of attorney in any capacity unless the person is related to the principal by blood, adoption or marriage.

What is a durable power of attorney?

A general durable power of attorney gives the Agent complete authority to act in a broad range of matters, such as managing banking and investments, operating a business, or handling taxes.

Who is Nicole Pavlik?

Nicole Pavlik is an experienced Phoenix estate planning attorney who can help you prepare for the unexpected by creating a durable power of attorney that works for you and your family. If you are interested in creating a durable power of attorney, call Nicole Pavlik Law Firm today at (602) 635-6176 for a free consultation.

What is an affidavit executed by an agent under a durable power of attorney?

An affidavit executed by the agent under a durable power of attorney stating that the agent did not have at the time of exercise of the power actual knowledge of the termination of the power by revocation or of the principal’s death creates, in the absence of fraud, a rebuttable presumption of the nonrevocation or nontermination of the power at that time.

What is a durable power of attorney?

A. A durable power of attorney is a written instrument by which a principal designates another person as the principal’s agent. The instrument shall contain words that demonstrate the principal’s intent that the authority conferred in the durable power of attorney may be exercised: 1. If the principal is subsequently disabled or incapacitated. 2.

What are the execution requirements for the creation of a power of attorney?

The execution requirements for the creation of a power of attorney provided in subsection D of this section do not apply if the principal creating the power of attorney is: 1. A person other than a natural person. 2. Any person , if the power of attorney to be created is a power coupled with an interest.

What is the best interest in a power of attorney?

1. “Best interest” means the agent acts solely for the principal’s benefit. 2. “Capacity” means that at the time the power of attorney was executed the principal was capable of understanding in a reasonable manner the nature and effect of the act of executing and granting the power of attorney. 3.

What is a power coupled with an interest?

For the purposes of this paragraph, “power coupled with an interest” means a power that forms a part of a contract and is security for money or for the performance of a valuable act. 14-5502.

What is a witness in a notary?

3. Is witnessed by a person other than the agent, the agent’s spouse, the agent’s children or the notary public.

Does section 36-3221 apply to a durable power of attorney?

This article does not apply to health care directives that are validly executed under section 36-3221 and does not establish authority under a durable power of attorney for the purposes of health care decision making.

What is a financial durable power of attorney?

Once signed by the principal, a witness, and a notary public, the financial durable power of attorney becomes effective and will remain in effect following the loss of the principal’s decisional capacity.

What is a durable power of attorney in Arizona?

The Arizona durable power of attorney form is used to choose a person to be an “Agent,” to manage the finances of the principal signatory. The agent need not be an attorney but should live in close enough proximity to the principal to perform necessary financial tasks if it becomes necessary.

Why did the Power of Attorney go out of effect?

Under traditional Common Law, a power of attorney went out of effect when the Grantor became disabled. This means that as originally conceived, Powers of Attorney were poor tools to help the elderly.

What is an unlawful use of power of attorney?

A. An agent who holds a principal's power of attorney pursuant to title 14, chapter 5, article 5 and who uses or manages the principal's assets or property with the intent to unlawfully deprive that person of the asset or property is guilty of theft. B.

What is a springing power of attorney?

This latter kind of Power of Attorney is called a "Springing" power of attorney because it springs into effect only upon the happening of a triggering event.

Why is a power of attorney important?

An important use of a power of attorney in an elder law context is to enable a family to conserve assets in the event that the principal has to go into a nursing home. In order for the power of attorney to be helpful in this regard, it has to permit the making of gifts on behalf of the person who made the power of attorney.

What is a power of attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a document signed by a Grantor, appointing an Agent and giving that Agent authority to carry out certain tasks for the Grantor.

Is it a felony to have an opt out power of attorney?

The same statute that made it a felony for the Agent under a Power of Attorney to benefit from his own acts contained an "opt out" provision which could be written into the Power of Attorney Document and had to be separately initialed by the Grantor and a witness. The law is different now.

Can a power of attorney be gifted in Arizona?

In fact, Arizona law prevents an agent from making gifts under a power of attorney unless his he specifically given a power to gift. Office supply store powers of attorney rarely contain such gifting provisions. In fact, there is a good chance that a power of attorney prepared by a lawyer who was not an elder law attorney lacks a gifting clause.

What is a valid powers of attorney for mental health?

Valid health care and mental health care powers of attorney must: Clearly declare the principal’s intent to delegate authority to make health care decisions to a specific person; Be signed by a principal who is of sound mind and free from duress;

What is a health care power of attorney?

With a health care power of attorney, people designate an agent to make their medical decisions in the event of an emergency. Health care powers of attorney assure principals that their important health care decisions rest with somebody whom they trust should they become incapacitated.

How to create a power of attorney?

Also, powers of attorney can be very broad or very limited in scope, so people can give their agent as little or as much authority as they wish. In order to be valid, however, people must adhere to the following guidelines when creating a power of attorney: 1 The principal must understand the nature and effect of signing a power of attorney. 2 The principal must sign the power of attorney willingly. 3 The principal must initial any paragraph in the power of attorney that benefits the agent. 4 A notary and witness other than the agent, the agent’s spouse, or the agent’s children must sign the power of attorney. 5 A power of attorney can be revoked or changed for as long as the principal remains competent. 6 The financial power of attorney form itself must meet certain criteria.

How do people prepare for the unexpected?

People should prepare themselves for the unexpected by establishing legal documents that designate somebody they trust to act for them. More specifically, principals can establish powers of attorney, which designate agents to make their important financial and medical decisions.

What does a principal need to sign a power of attorney?

The principal must understand the nature and effect of signing a power of attorney. The principal must sign the power of attorney willingly. The principal must initial any paragraph in the power of attorney that benefits the agent.

Can a mental health power of attorney be created at the same time as a power of attorney?

The mental health care power of attorney can appoint the same agent as under the health care power of attorney or somebody else. Also, it can be created at the same time as the health care power of attorney, or at a later date. Valid health care and mental health care powers of attorney must:

Can a power of attorney take effect immediately?

Powers of attorney can take immediate effect, or spring into effect upon the occurrence of a specified event such as illness or injury. Also, powers of attorney can be very broad or very limited in scope, so people can give their agent as little or as much authority as they wish.

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Required Language

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Every durable power of attorney must contain the following language to illustrate the principal’s intent (ARS 5501(B)(1)): or
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Revocation

  • The death of the principal or the authorization of a revocation form by the principal cancels and terminates a power of attorney document (ARS § 14-5504(A)).
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Signing Requirements

  • An Arizona durable power of attorney must be signed with the principal and one (1) witness in the presence of a notary public. The witness cannot be the agent, the agent’s spouse, the agent’s children, or the notary public (ARS § 14-5501(D)(3)).
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Statutory Form

  • There is no statutory form but the language regarding durable power of attorney is located here ARS § 14-5501.
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Section 1. Type of Power of Attorney

  • (1) Durability.Establish the type of power of attorney being issued. A general power of attorney that is not durable will have a natural termination date while a general durable power of attorney will continue being effective until the Principal’s death unless he or she intentionally revokes it.
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Section 2. Identify The Principal and Attorney-In-Fact

  • (2) Principal.The Arizona Principal is the person determined to grant the same authority he or she holds over certain matters in his or her life to an Agent (commonly referred to as an Attorney-in-Fact). In addition to naming the Principal, his or her address information will also need to be documented. Ideally, this will be the address that appears on the Principal’s government I.D. an…
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Section 3. Powers That Apply

  • (8) A. Personal Finances.The Principal can deliver the authority to handle his or her financial accounts, decide and act in the Principal’s names regarding such accounts, control his or her safe deposit boxes, manage his or her debts and owed sums, and even take the legal action necessary to safeguard and carry out the Principal’s directives and goals. Box A should be marked to grant …
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Section 4. The Effective Date

  • (13) General Regular Power Of Attorney. Every general non-durable power of attorney issued in the State of Arizona must include a defined effective or start date and predetermined expiration date if it is to be considered a well-developed delegation of power. A power document such as this may only be a general regular power of attorney if its start date and termination date are declared in i…
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Section 6. Signatures

  • (15) Principal Declaration.It is imperative the Arizona Principal be named as the declarant behind the signature statement closing this document. (16) Principal Date Of Signature.The day when the signature is provided by the Principal will mark precisely when he or she has granted the Attorney-in-Fact with authority must be declared by the Principal in writing. (17) Principal Signature.The a…
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For The Witness

  • (18) Witness Declaration.A person who can attest to the testimony provided as being true and who has physically observed the Principal sign this document must be named in the final declaration made by this document. (19) Witness Signature. The signature of the Witness who has observed the Principal’s signing is considered mandatory to verify the authenticity of this do…
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