what is the difference between durable power of attorney and statutory power of attorney

by Eldon Bins 7 min read

Statutory Powers of Attorney are documents that are brought up through the laws of your state, i.e. the legislature, and give powers through those laws that the legislature passes. A Durable, or Common Law, Power of Attorney is based upon what is called case law, or the law of the court system.

Full Answer

What is the difference between durable and power of attorney?

There is a significant difference between the two documents. Your Last Will and Testament becomes effective upon your death, whereas, a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney is only effective while you are alive.

What is the difference between a power of attorney and a durable power of attorney?

Jun 14, 2017 · Understanding Statutory Durable Power of Attorneys. A statutory power of attorney is a legal document that was created by statute (law). This document gives one person — the agent — the power to act on behalf of another with respect to most matters. The person with power of attorney (POA) is known as the agent (occasionally, the attorney-in-fact), and the …

What makes a power of attorney "durable"?

One of these options is to have a statutory durable power of attorney. It is a kind of legal document that empowers an agent to make decisions on your behalf. In general, most states require a power of attorney in order to allow an agent to make decisions and perform specific decisions on behalf of someone. But a statutory power of attorney is commonly used to …

What are the benefits of a durable power of attorney?

Mar 17, 2022 · A durable power of attorney generally remains in effect until the principal revokes the powers or dies, but can also be terminated if a court finds the document invalid or revokes the agent's authority, or if the principal gets divorced and the spouse was the agent. A regular power of attorney, on the other hand, ends if you become ...

image

Which power of attorney is best?

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 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 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 is a statutory power of attorney in Texas?

Generally, a power of attorney allows you to designate an agent to perform specific functions on your behalf. Under the Texas Estates Code, statutory durable power of attorney can be used to appoint an agent to make certain financial decisions for you should you be unable to do so.Jun 14, 2017

What three decisions Cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?

Are there any decisions I could not give an attorney power to decide? 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.

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

This arrangement designates another person to act on the principal's behalf and includes a durable clause that maintains the power of attorney after the principal becomes incapacitated.Jun 2, 2017

What is a Florida durable power of attorney?

A Florida durable power of attorney form represents a way in which an individual, or principal, can have someone act for them with regard to their finances and other areas of life. The durable type of POA stays in effect even if the principal ends up in a situation where he or she cannot think or act or communicate.Dec 22, 2021

Can you have more than one power of attorney?

There is no limit to the number of people you can name as an attorney when making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). You can also name replacement attorneys who can step in if one of the original attorneys becomes unable or unwilling to act.Mar 6, 2020

Does a durable power of attorney need witnesses in Texas?

The durable power of attorney does not need to be signed by any witnesses. It is not necessary to file the durable power of attorney unless the agent uses it with respect to a real property transaction.Aug 29, 2012

What is a statutory power?

statutory power means an administrative, quasi-judicial or judicial power conferred by statute, other than a power conferred on a court of record of civil or criminal jurisdiction or a power to make regulations, and for greater certainty, but without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a power.

How do I get a durable power of attorney in Texas?

Texans can access free financial POA forms on the Texas Health and Human Services website, and a free medical POA template in the Texas Health and Safety Code. Another option is to use FreeWill to create your free Texas durable financial power of attorney or living will (which includes a healthcare power of attorney).Oct 5, 2021

What is a durable power of attorney?

Under the Texas Estates Code, statutory durable power of attorney can be used to appoint an agent to make certain financial decisions for you should you be unable to do so. Although it cannot be used for healthcare or medical decisions, ...

Why is a durable power of attorney important?

A durable statutory power of attorney is vital to ensuring that your interests are protected in the event that you cannot make decisions for yourself. For example, an aging parent may sign a power of attorney giving his or her child the power to make important financial and legal decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.

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

If you don’t have a statutory durable power of attorney in place and become disabled or incapacitated, then you will not have a say in how these matters are handled, or who will handle them for you. Having a statutory durable power of attorney is also a more cost-effective solution to these issues for your family.

What is a POA?

A statutory power of attorney is a legal document that was created by statute (law). This document gives one person — the agent — the power to act on behalf of another with respect to most matters. The person with power of attorney (POA) is known as the agent (occasionally, the attorney-in-fact), and the person who appoints the power ...

What is tax matters?

Tax matters; and/or. Digital assets and the content of electronic communication. Each item that you initially will give your agent power to handle that matter based on the terms of the document (i.e., immediately, or upon disability or incapacity). Notably, healthcare is not listed as a power in this form.

What happens if a parent slips into dementia?

If that parent slips into dementia, their child/agent can then ensure that their bills are paid, any legal matters are attended to, and their taxes are handled (consistent with the terms of the statutory power of attorney).

What powers can an agent have?

You can give your agent any or all of the following powers: Real property transactions; Tangible personal property transactions; Stock and bond transactions; Commodity and option transactions; Banking and other financial institution transactions; Business operating transactions; Insurance and annuity transactions;

What is the best time to assign a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney?

One of the crucial aspects associated when setting up a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney is when someone is mentally sound. However, a power of attorney will not be accepted if it is signed by a person who is psychologically incompetent.

What is the difference between a durable and general power of attorney?

The main difference between the general power of attorney and the statutory durable power of attorney is that a general power of attorney remains effective within the principal’s life like providing assistance in legal matters and a helping hand in the day-to-day tasks. Once you become incapacitated, a general power of attorney becomes void.

Types of Power of attorneys

There are different types of power of attorneys because each one of them entails a different situation and is formed depending on the current situation one may have. What are they, know about them in detail.

Conclusion

No matter what power of attorney you opt for granting specific powers to your agent, it always depends on the needs and circumstances of the principal. It is undoubtedly a helpful tool in assisting people in making financial, medical, specific decisions when they are incapacitated or unable to perform.

How long does a durable power of attorney last?

A durable power of attorney generally remains in effect until the principal revokes the powers or dies, but can also be terminated if a court finds the document invalid or revokes the agent's authority, or if the principal gets divorced and the spouse was the agent.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document through which you, as the principal, name someone to have the authority to make decisions and take actions on your behalf. This person is called your agent or attorney-in-fact. Note that the person you name does not have to be an attorney. A durable power of attorney, sometimes called a DPOA for short, ...

James P. Frederick

I also agree with Attorney Sinclair. It is my guess that your mother either tried to do this on her own, or did it on her own and then followed up with another POA. It SOUNDS like the forms in question accomplish the same purpose and that either one or both of them COULD be used.

Alan Baker

I agree with attorney Sinclair. I would also suggest you go with your mother to the attorney who prepared the documents to obtain an explanation concerning these POAs and make sure she was not overcharged by paying twice for the same thing with different names. More

Paula Brown Sinclair

The naming of these documents, often used for incapacity planning, has created considerable public confusion. Here is the vocabulary lesson: A power of attorney is a document that delegates to another person something the grantor has the nature right and authority to do, such as sign a document or instruct a doctor.

What does DPOA stand for in a power of attorney?

If you’re appointed as the agent through a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA), you’ll be given legal authority to act on your parents’ behalf. You’ll have agency to care for them even if they become suddenly incapacitated, until the day they pass away.

What is the difference between a POA and a DPOA?

The key differentiation between DPOA vs POA is simple: incapacitation. As a General POA, your agency ends the moment your parents become incapacitated. This means that if they suddenly become unable to make decisions for themselves, you will no longer be able to make important decisions for them.

What is POA in estate planning?

A POA is a powerful estate planning tool, and there are a few different categories of powers, used in difference scenarios. Two types to consider are General Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney. They’re equally important in the legal authority field, but there’s one key difference between them.

What is a GPOA?

A General Power of Attorney (GPOA) is a similar legal document that allows your parents to appoint you as their agent. As a GPOA, your duties will end if your parents ever became incapacitated.

Do you have to file a POA with the court system?

Generally, a POA does not have to be filed with the court system. Rather, your Power of Attorney is a document you include with your other estate planning documents. You’ll want to keep this safe and secured, such as through your password-protected estate planning platform.

What is durable power of attorney?

A durable power of attorney is the most common document of its kind, and the coverage afforded by the form is sweeping. It allows the agent to make financial, business and legal decisions on behalf of a principal, and the durability aspect extends the agent’s powers to during an event of incapacitation.

What does it mean if you don't have a POA?

The absence of a durable and/or medical POA can mean that family members will not be able to access accounts to pay for healthcare, taxes, insurance, utilities, and other important matters, and they won’t have clear instructions as to how to care for you if you should be faced with incapacitation.

How long do powers stay in effect?

Once powers have been granted, they will remain in effect until their powers are revoked, the contract expires (if an expiration date exists), or until the principal expires. Here’s a list of common matters for which an agent may be responsible to maintain on behalf of the principal: Banking – Deposits and withdrawals.

What is the difference between an agent and a principal?

Principal – the person handing over decision-making powers. Agent – the chosen individual to manage affairs, usually someone the principal deeply trusts , such as a close family member (also called an “attorney in fact”) Incapacitation – when the principal is no longer able to make decisions for themselves .

What do I need for an estate plan?

What Else Do I Need for My Estate Plan? 1 Living Will – usually paired with a medical power of attorney. If this form isn’t included, you’ll want to create one as it puts your medical wishes into writing. 2 Last Will and Testament – designates who gets what upon your passing

Why does the principal have no say in who is appointed?

First, the principal has no say in who is appointed, because appointment will happen after an event of incapacitation. Often, the court will choose a single conservator to handle both financial and medical matters. Second, the process is costly, lengthy, and very draining and stressful for all involved.

What is a living will?

Living Will – usually paired with a medical power of attorney. If this form isn’t included, you’ll want to create one as it puts your medical wishes into writing. Last Will and Testament – designates who gets what upon your passing.

What Is Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a document that grants legal authority to one person, known as the agent or “attorney in fact,” to act on behalf of another, the principal, when they are unable to do so themselves.1 While the word attorney might make one assume these responsibilities are reserved for lawyers, the agent can actually be any person the principal trusts enough to make decisions in their best interest or as directed, ranging from financial to healthcare matters.2.

When to Use a General (Financial) POA

Let’s use a hypothetical to outline one example of how and when a general power of attorney can be useful:

When to Use a Durable (Financial) POA

Under the same hypothetical situation, how or when would a durable power of attorney be necessary?

What happens to a non-durable power of attorney?

A Non-Durable Power of Attorney automatically terminates if you become incapacitated, and at death. This means the agent you appointed in the document will lose authority after any one of those circumstances occurs. When that happens, a court will have to appoint a conservator for you to handle your personal and business affairs.

Why do you need a power of attorney?

Creating a Power of Attorney can save the hassle of going to probate court to have a conservator appointed if you have an illness or accident that prevents you from handling your personal and business matters. They are an essential tool to help fund your living trust if you become incapacitated.

Is a durable power of attorney ineffective?

As with the Non-Durable Power of Attorney, a Durable Power of Attorney becomes ineffective immediately upon the death of the creator of the power. The Power of Attorney is a very important document in your estate plan, but it can also be the most dangerous document you will sign.

image