what to know about a power of attorney https://seantankolaw.com

by Prof. Alycia Dicki 5 min read

What is Power of Attorney & Why is it Important?

Keep in mind that the word “attorney” doesn’t necessarily mean a lawyer. Instead, power of attorney simply refers to a preselected person who is acting on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions on your own.

What are the Different Types of Power of Attorney?

When you are ready to create a document, the first step is to learn about the different types of powers of attorney. Here are two types you might consider:

Who Can You Choose as a Power of Attorney?

It’s common to choose a spouse, family member, or close friend for power of attorney. When you are appointing someone, evaluate your closest relationships and select someone with sound judgment. Here are a few tips to help with your selection:

Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship

If you don’t choose a power of attorney, then a court might assign guardianship. With a power of attorney, you have the opportunity to select your representative. With guardianship, the court determines your representative.

When Should I Make a Power of Attorney?

Creating a power of attorney document often happens when someone works on estate planning or their living will and testament. This task is essential – every adult should have a power of attorney. There is no reason to wait. The future is unknown, so it’s best to have a power of attorney sooner rather than later in life.

What do you need to know about power of attorney?

Everything You Need To Know About Power Of Attorney. Power of attorney could be one of the most important decisions that you and your older parents make in life. That might sound like a big shout, but it’s true. As life expectancy increases, so does the number of people diagnosed with dementia and other illnesses.

Who makes a power of attorney?

The person making the power of attorney (for example your mother) is the donor and the trusted person appointed to act on their behalf (you for example) is called the attorney.

How many forms are there for a POA?

There is one form for a property and affairs LPA and one for a health and welfare LPA. Even if your parent wants the same person (s) to be their POA for both, the two forms still need to be filled in. The POA form is free, but you need to pay to register the LPA.

What does an attorney do for a donor?

The attorney has the power to make financial decisions on behalf of the donor if they lose mental capacity. Such as paying bills, selling their house. The attorney has the power to make health and care related decisions on behalf of the donor if they lose mental capacity.

What happens if you become an LPA for your parent?

If you became LPA for your parent, you would have the power to make financial decisions about money and property on their behalf. This includes: managing a bank or building society account, paying bills, collecting benefits or a pension, selling their home.

What is an ordinary POA?

An Ordinary Power Of Attorney is there if there is a need for someone to look after a person’s financial affairs for a temporary period time. For example, your parent might want to give someone an ordinary POA if they have a physical illness or injury, or they’re abroad for a long period of time.

When was the lasting power of attorney replaced?

Enduring Power Of Attorney (EPA) is the old version – it was replaced by Lasting Power Of Attorney in October 2007. However if your parent made a valid EPA before this date then it’s legally valid and can still be used if mental capacity is lost.

Property Rules by Location

Property questions must be resolved by the laws of the state where the property sits. The primary probate can proceed in Nevada, but the questions about the land or real property located elsewhere must be resolved in that state’s courts.

Ancillary Proceedings in Nevada

Other state cases might also use ancillary proceedings in Nevada. When part of an outside estate has land or real property located in Nevada, then Nevada hosts the second or ancillary proceeding.

Ancillary Proceedings : A Fact of Complex Lives

Probate can be complicated by the facts of modern life such as multiple marriages, distant holdings, vacation homes, and conflicting laws such as community property laws in some states and not in others. Many estates have a potential for ancillary proceedings.

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