There are two primary reasons for having a financial power of attorney:
A power of attorney (POA) can be an important element of planning for your elderly parent’s future. It allows another person to take action on your parent’s behalf, ensuring bills get paid and medical decisions can be made in the unfortunate circumstance that your elderly parent is unable to do those things on their own or merely needs help with such tasks.
The Power of Attorney Law provides that any "natural person having the capacity to contract may execute a power of attorney."
The current laws regarding power of attorney were established in 2006 when the Uniform Power of Attorney Act was implemented. This basically ensured that there would be a uniform standard for power of attorney law in every state, and that there would be basic legal elements that had to be adhered to when implementing a power of attorney, regardless of what state you live in.
The main differences between a durable and non-durable power of attorney is that a durable power of attorney continues to be effective upon the incapacitation of the principal while the non-durable power of attorney does not. A power of attorney template or POA form can be used to nominate a power of attorney to represent an individual ...
The power of attorney is signed and acknowledged before a notary public or is signed by two witnesses.
This power of attorney shall not be affected by subsequent incapacity of the principal.
Another important reason to use power of attorney is to prepare for situations when you may not be able to act on your own behalf due to absence or incapacity. Such a disability may be temporary, for example, due to travel, accident, or illness, or it may be permanent.
Generally, the law of the state in which you reside at the time you sign a power of attorney will govern the powers and actions of your agent under that document.
You may wish to choose a family member to act on your behalf. Many people name their spouses or one or more children. In naming more than one person to act as agent at the same time, be alert to the possibility that all may not be available to act when needed, or they may not agree. The designation of co-agents should indicate whether you wish to have the majority act in the absence of full availability and agreement. Regardless of whether you name co-agents, you should always name one or more successor agents to address the possibility that the person you name as agent may be unavailable or unable to act when the time comes.
Catherine, as agent, must sign as follows: Michael Douglas, by Catherine Zeta-Jones under POA or Catherine Zeta-Jones, attorney-in-fact for Michael Douglas. If you are ever called upon to take action as someone’s agent, you should consult with an attorney about actions you can and cannot take and whether there are any precautionary steps you should take to minimize the likelihood of someone challenging your actions. This is especially important if you take actions that directly or indirectly benefit you personally.
In addition to managing your day-to-day financial affairs, your attorney-in-fact can take steps to implement your estate plan. Although an agent cannot revise your will on your behalf, some jurisdictions permit an attorney-in-fact to create or amend trusts for you during your lifetime, or to transfer your assets to trusts you created. Even without amending your will or creating trusts, an agent can affect the outcome of how your assets are distributed by changing the ownership (title) to assets. It is prudent to include in the power of attorney a clear statement of whether you wish your agent to have these powers.
If you are ever called upon to take action as someone’s agent, you should consult with an attorney about actions you can and cannot take and whether there are any precautionary steps you should take to minimize the likelihood of someone challenging your actions.
Today, most states permit a "durable" power of attorney that remains valid once signed until you die or revoke the document.
The power of attorney expires when the principal comes back or dies.
Many states required you to sign your medical attorney in front of a legal notary because of its complexities. Your medical POA becomes effective after you sign, but it can only be used when the requirements are satisfied, like in conditions where you’re declared mentally unfit to make sound decisions.
A DPOA (durable power of attorney) becomes effective right after you made your power of attorney and your agent signs it. It allows your agent to take control of your decisions and act on your behalf immediately when you become debilitated. For example, if you get paralyzed and unable to perform certain tasks, then your agent will take your financial and healthcare decisions for you. Every state allows DPOA to become effective after such a situation occurs.
Conversely, with the general POA, this type basically grants the agent an authority to act on behalf of the principal but only in particular conditions. For instance, your agent will be able to cash your checks for you, but won’t cast a check on your behalf.
States allow principals to make adjustments in their power of attorney according to their needs – keeping every formality in mind that is legislated according to their states. Some of the common types of power of attorneys are explained above but you need to see your state’s statute of limitations for the same purpose .
A power of attorney (or POA) is a legal document that gives one person (the "agent") the authority to act for another person (the "principal").
Although it is not required, filing a power of attorney in Pennsylvania may be done with the clerk of the Orphan's Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the principal resides.
Obtaining a power of attorney in Pennsylvania is not as easy as in some states, because the Pennsylvania legislature has not created a form for a financial power of attorney.
You may make a healthcare POA if you are at least 18 years of age or, if under 18, you have graduated from high school, are married, or are legally emancipated. A healthcare POA must be dated, signed by the principal (in the same manner as for a financial POA), and witnessed by two persons who are at least 18 years old.
Traditionally, a POA ended if the principal became incapacitated. A POA that continues after incapacity is called a "durable" POA. Traditionally, a POA also became effective immediately upon being signed. A POA that only becomes effective if the principal becomes incapacitated is called a "springing" POA (which by its nature is also durable).
A POA in Pennsylvania must be dated, signed by the principal, witnessed by two adults, and notarized.
If the POA includes authority for real estate transactions and is notarized, it may also be recorded in the county office for recording deeds.
Why would I need one? General powers of attorney are used to allow someone to act for you in a wide variety of matters. For example, general powers of attorney are often used in business dealings to allow an employee to enter into contracts, sell property, spend money, and take other actions on behalf of their client.
A “power of attorney” is a written document that authorizes someone (referred to as the agent) to make decisions or take actions on someone else's (known as the principal ) behalf. In Texas, there are several kinds of powers of attorney that will grant the agent the right to accomplish different things on the principal's behalf.
The Elder Law Answer Book offers a thorough guide to aspects of the law that affect senior citizens, including long-term care planning, powers of attorney, trusts, age discrimination, and more.
Because general powers of attorney terminate when someone is incapacitated, they are not ideal for end-of-life planning or medical directives. Medical powers of attorney and durable powers of attorney (ones that last after or begin upon the incapacitation of the principal) are better alternatives for these situations.
The lender obtains a copy of the POA. The name (s) on the POA match the name (s) of the person on the relevant loan document. The POA is dated such that it was valid at the time the relevant loan document was executed. The POA is notarized. The POA must reference the address of the subject property.
The POA expressly states an intention to secure a loan not to exceed a stated amount from a named lender on a specific property. The POA expressly authorizes the agent to execute the required loan documents on behalf of the borrower. reaffirm their agreement to the execution of the loan documents by the agent.
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document giving one person (described below as the “agent”) the power to legally bind another person. Loans with documentation executed by an agent on behalf of the borrower under a POA are eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae if all requirements referenced in this Guide are met.
If you have additional questions, Fannie Mae customers can visit Ask Poli to get information from other Fannie Mae published sources.
In jurisdictions where a POA used for a signature on a security instrument must be recorded with the security instrument, the lender must ensure that recordation has been effected.
the agent under the POA is the borrower creating such inter vivos revocable trust.
If applicable law requires an original POA for enforcement or foreclosure purposes, an original must be forwarded to the document custodian. If there is more than one borrower, each may execute the note and/or security instrument using a POA that complies with this section. Ineligible Agents.
Connecticut law does not restrict the duration of validity for such authority, though the caregiver’s parental rights will generally last for six (6) months to one (1) year.
A Connecticut durable statutory power of attorney form lets a principal appoint an agent to handle their financial affairs during their lifetime. The term “durable” refers to the form remaining legal for use even if the principal can no longer make conscious decisions or think with a clear mind.
It is also important that Attorney-In-Fact be available locally, because that will make it easier for the chosen individual to handle those needs that are more easily attended to in person rather than over the phone or via fax and/or the internet.
Definition of “Durable”. “Durable” means, with respect to a power of attorney, not terminated by the principal’s incapacity ( Sec. 1-350a (2) ).
Signing Requirements. The principal must sign with two (2) witnesses and a notary public. The agent must sign the attached Agent’s Certification in the presence of a notary public ( Sec. 1-350d, Sec. 1-352a ).
In the case of any matter concerning a joint return in which both husband and wife are not to be represented by the same recognized representative (s), the power of attorney must be executed by the spouse who is to be represented.
Internal Revenue Service officials may require the submission of documentary evidence of the authority of the trustee to act. Such evidence may be either a copy of a properly executed trust instrument or a certified copy of extracts from the trust instruments, showing -. (i) The date of the instrument;
Submit a power of attorney when you want to authorize an individual to receive your confidential tax information and represent you before the IRS, whether or not the representative performs any of the other acts cited earlier under What Is a Power of Attorney .
A power of attorney is generally terminated if you become incapacitated or incompetent.
If you want to authorize your representative to receive copies of all notices and communications sent to you by the IRS, you must check the box that is provided under the representative's name and address. No more than two representatives may receive copies of notices and communications sent to you by the IRS. Do not check the box if you do not want copies of notices and communications sent to your representative (s).
Go to IRS.gov/Account to securely access information about your federal tax account.
The Office of Professional Responsibility generally has responsibility for matters related to practitioner conduct, and exclusive responsibility for discipline , including disciplinary proceedings and sanctions.
Usually, attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), and enrolled agents may represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled retirement plan agents, and enrolled actuaries may represent with respect to specified Internal Revenue Code sections delineated in Circular 230. Under special and limited circumstances, other individuals, including unenrolled return preparers, family members, employees, and students can represent taxpayers before the IRS. For details regarding taxpayer representation, see Who Can Practice Before the IRS , later.
Any individual who is enrolled as an actuary by the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from practice before the IRS may practice before the IRS. The practice of enrolled actuaries is limited to certain Internal Revenue Code sections that relate to their area of expertise, principally those sections governing employee retirement plans.
Choosing someone to hold your power of attorney and specifying that it will operate even if you lose capacity ensures that you have a plan in place for administering your financial and personal affairs if you are ever unable to do so.
Using an attorney to draw up the POA will help ensure that it conforms with state requirements. Since a POA may be questioned if an agent needs to invoke it with a bank or financial services company, you should ask an attorney about prior experience in drafting such powers. You want to select someone not only familiar with state requirements, but also with the issues that can arise when a power is invoked. This way, the attorney can use language that will make clear the full extent of the responsibilities that you wish to convey.
The person you choose as your agent must be someone you trust without hesitation. Depending on how you've worded your POA, the person you select will have access to and be able to make decisions about your health, home, business affairs, personal property, and financial accounts.
A durable POA begins when it is signed but stays in effect for a lifetime unless you initiate the cancellation. Words in the document should specify that your agent's power should stay in effect even if you become incapacitated. Durable POAs are popular because the agent can manage affairs easily and inexpensively.
How a Power of Attorney (POA) Works. Certain circumstances may trigger the desire for a power of attorney (POA) for someone over the age of 18. For example, someone in the military might create a POA before deploying overseas so that another person can act on their behalf should they become incapacitated.
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document in which the principal (you) designates another person (called the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on your behalf. The document authorizes the agent to make either a limited or broader set of decisions. The term "power of attorney" can also refer to the individual designated ...
How to Get a Power of Attorney (POA) The first thing to do if you want a power of attorney is to select someone you trust to handle your affairs if and when you cannot. Then you must decide what the agent can do on your behalf, and in what circumstances. For example, you could establish a POA that only happens when you are no longer capable ...