A Maryland durable power of attorney is a statutory document that can be used to appoint a person (“agent”) to carry out someone else’s (“principal”) financial affairs and other requests. Such actions would be performed on the principal’s behalf and will remain in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated (“durable”).
If you are incapacitated and one or more of the Attorneys-in-Fact named above become unable to fulfill their roles because he or she will not or cannot act on your behalf , then the current plans of representation you depend on may be significantly affected. This paperwork allows you to engage the precaution of setting a Successor Agent to take over the vacant role if this becomes necessary. It should be noted that a Successor Agent is not granted access to principal authority unless or more of the Attorneys-in-Fact are removed, unable, or unwilling to act in the role assigned.
(1) Name Of Principal. Begin the Maryland appointment of an Attorney-in-Fact with your printed name in the first declaration statement. As the Principal, you will be required to read this entire form to deliver a proper executing signature. Bear in mind that the language of this document is set, therefore an opportunity to directly address any issues with this appointment will be available. If this form delivers too much power to the Agent, then it is recommended that the statutory short form version be issued instead.
The second declaration made will be to name additional Agents or Attorneys-in-Fact who will operate with the principal power with the Agent named above. This is optional however if more than one Attorney-in-Fact is to be granted principal power the second declaration statement must be completed beginning with the full name of the Principal.
“Power of attorney” means a writing or other record that grants authority to an agent to act in the place of the principal, whether or not the term “power of attorney” is used ( § 17-101 (d) ).
The notary may serve as one of the two required attesting witnesses, unless the notary is observing the signing remotely with digital communication technology as described in § 18–214 of the State Government Article.
It should be noted that a Successor Agent is not granted access to principal authority unless or more of the Attorneys-in-Fact are removed, unable, or unwilling to act in the role assigned. (11) Successor Agent’s Address. The address where the Successor Agent can be contacted must be documented.
Banks and other financial institutions - With respect to this subject, I authorize my agent to: continue, modify, transact all business in connection with, and terminate an account or other banking arrangement made by or on behalf of the principal; establish, modify, transact all business in connection with, and terminate an account or other banking arrangement with a bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, thrift company, brokerage firm, or other financial institution selected by the agent; contract for services available from a financial institution, including renting a safe deposit box or space in a vault; deposit by check, money order, electronic funds transfer, or otherwise with, or leave in the custody of, a financial institution money or property of the principal; withdraw, by check, money order, electronic funds transfer, or otherwise, money or property of the principal deposited with or left in the custody of a financial institution; receive statements of account, vouchers, notices, and similar documents from a financial institution and act with respect to them; enter a safe deposit box or vault and withdraw or add to the contents; borrow money and pledge as security personal property of the principal necessary to borrow money or pay, renew, or extend the time of payment of a debt of the principal or a debt guaranteed by the principal; make, assign, draw, endorse, discount, guarantee, and negotiate promissory notes, checks, drafts, and other negotiable or nonnegotiable paper of the principal or payable to the principal or the principal's order, transfer money, receive the cash or other proceeds of those transactions; and apply for, receive, and use credit cards and debit cards, electronic transaction authorizations, and traveler's checks from a financial institution.
Claims and litigation - With respect to this subject, I authorize my agent to: assert and maintain before a court or administrative agency a claim, claim for relief, cause of action, counterclaim, offset, recoupment, or defense, including an action to recover property or other thing of value, recover damages sustained by the principal, eliminate or modify tax liability, or seek an injunction, specific performance, or other relief; act for the principal with respect to bankruptcy or insolvency, whether voluntary or involuntary, concerning the principal or some other person, or with respect to a reorganization, receivership, or application for the appointment of a receiver or trustee that affects an interest of the principal in property or other thing of value; pay a judgment, award, or order against the principal or a settlement made in connection with a claim or litigation; and receive money or other thing of value paid in settlement of or as proceeds of a claim or litigation.
This power of attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.
Retirement plans (including a plan or account created by an employer, the principal, or another individual to provide retirement benefits or deferred compensation of which the principal is a participant, beneficiary, or owner, including a plan or account under the following sections of the Internal Revenue Code:
This section of the form provides for designation of two or more coagents. Coagents are required to act together unanimously unless you otherwise provide in this form.
You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise, generally the agent's authority will continue until you die or revoke the power of attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for you.
You need not grant all of the powers listed below. If you choose to grant less than all of the listed powers, you may instead use a Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney and mark on that Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney which powers you intend to delegate to your attorney-in-fact (the Agent) and which you do not want the Agent to exercise.
A springing power of attorney becomes effective when: The agent (in case they’re authorized by the POA agreement) determines that the principal is incapacitated. A judge or an attorney confirms that the principal is abroad and unable to return. One or more physicians confirm that the principal is physically or mentally incapable ...
A power of attorney is terminated if: The principal dies or becomes incapacitated (in case the POA is not durable) The principal revokes the POA. The purpose of the power of attorney is accomplished. The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns, and there’s no substitute for them.
Once we process your request, we’ll generate a POA document and add two notices for you and your agent to read before signing.
A limited power of attorney grants the agent defined powers over specific aspects of the principal’s matters. The principal can also put a time limit on this type of power of attorney.
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You should sign the document in front of a notary who will provide their signature and seal.
A POA is a simple document that grants specific powers to someone you trust— called an "agent" in Maryland (and an "attorney-in-fact" in some states)—to handle certain matters for you.
a medical POA, which allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. (In Maryland, this medical POA is combined with a living will into a single document called an "advance directive.")
You get a divorce. In Maryland, if your spouse is named as your agent in your POA, that designation automatically ends once either of you files for divorce. If you named a successor agent, that person would become your agent.
Your POA is effective immediately unless it explicitly states that it takes effect at a future date.
If you initialed "real property," giving your agent the power to conduct transactions with real estate, you should also file a copy of your POA in the land records office (which is part of the circuit court clerk's office in Maryland) in the county where you own real estate. This will allow the circuit court clerk's office to recognize your agent's authority if your agent ever needs to sell, mortgage, or transfer real estate for you.
Any power of attorney automatically ends at your death. A durable POA also ends if:
As mentioned above, in Maryland, you should have your POA notarized and witnessed. The notary public can act as one of the two required witnesses.