who can make a power of attorney over my childs custody

by Ms. Mariam Blanda 7 min read

A power of attorney for a child allows parents and legal guardians to give another adult the temporary legal right to make decisions about their minor child's care. If you will be unable to care for your child for a long time, you might want to use a power of attorney for a child.

Full Answer

How do you gain power of attorney over a child?

Power of attorney gives someone other than a legal parent or guardian the right to make decisions about a child's welfare, but it does not establish legal custody. You can only modify legal custody through court proceedings. If you are considering executing a POA for your child, it is often helpful to consult an experienced attorney for guidance.

How can a lawyer help me get child custody?

A parent can use a power of attorney, or POA, to authorize someone else to make certain decisions for their minor children under 18 years of age. Generally speaking, this document is a written contract in which someone, called the principal, grants another person, called the agent, the legal power to make decisions for them—either on a temporary or long-term basis.

What type of lawyer do I need for child custody?

Mar 05, 2021 · If the child has two parents with joint legal custody, both parents should sign the power of attorney. If the other parent is unavailable or unreachable, you should be able to be the only signer if you have attempted to contact the other parent in writing. A legal guardian also may sign a power of attorney for a child.

How does one become a child custody lawyer?

other decisions and executing any documents with respect to the child(ren)’s education. b. To grant consent for the child(ren) to participate in any activity which the attorney-in-fact feels appropriate c. To make health care decisions on behalf …

Scope of a Child-Related Power of Attorney

With regard to children, a power of attorney is typically used if a custodial parent will be physically absent or unavailable for some period of time, and, as a result, will have limited ability to make "real time" decisions for the children. Some situations when a POA is used for minor children include:

Enforceability of a Child-Related Power of Attorney

A power of attorney for children is inherently limited because state law does not divest parents of their parental rights without a showing of reasonable cause (usually some allegation of wrongdoing), a hearing before a judge or magistrate, and the issuance of a court order. A child-related POA does not and cannot:

Drafting a Child-Related Power of Attorney

Because of the limited enforceability of child-related powers of attorney under the laws of most states, there is not much guidance in state statutory codes for writing one. The state laws that apply to financial and healthcare powers of attorney do, however, provide a roadmap for the basic information required. This usually includes:

What is a power of attorney for a child?

A power of attorney for a child allows the person caring for your child to act as a parent or guardian in your absence. It does not terminate parental rights or transfer custody to the agent, and it does not prevent you from continuing to make decisions for your child. A power of attorney for a child can be broad or narrow.

Who should sign a power of attorney?

A notary public. If the child has two parents with joint legal custody, both parents should sign the power of attorney. If the other parent is unavailable or unreachable, you should be able to be the only signer if you have attempted to contact the other parent in writing.

Can a guardian sign a power of attorney?

A legal guardian also may sign a power of attorney for a child. Because this is a legal document that gives the agent authority to care for your child, it should be notarized. When you leave your child in the agent's care, the agent should keep the original notarized power of attorney, your child's health insurance cards, ...

What is a power of attorney?

Powers of attorney are key estate planning documents. In the unfortunate event that you become unable to care for yourself, it is crucial that you grant a trusted party the authority to effectively make legal, financial, and medical decisions on your behalf. Through two key estate planning documents — the durable power of attorney and ...

Can a durable power of attorney make medical decisions?

Can a Durable Power of Attorney Make Medical Decisions? No. A durable power of attorney is generally for legal decision making and financial decision making. To allow a trusted person to make health care decisions, grant them medical power of attorney.

Can you have multiple power of attorney?

Yes. You have the legal right to appoint multiple people as your power of attorney. You could even split your durable power of attorney and your medical power of attorney. The legal documents should state whether each agent has full, independent power or if they have to act jointly.

Can a convicted felon have a power of attorney in Texas?

Can a Convicted Felon Have Power of Attorney? Yes. Texas law does not prevent a convicted felon from having a power of attorney. A mentally competent person has the authority to select who they want to serve as their power of attorney.

What is a power of attorney for a minor?

A power of attorney over a child is a document signed and notarized by a parent giving a non- parent authority to make decisions for a minor child.It can be used to authorize the person to obtain medical treatment for a child or sign up a child for an activity or for other significant decisions.

Can a parent sign a power of attorney?

In order for your parent to grant you Power of Attorney, they must be of sound mind.If the parent is of sound mind, they may sign over Power of Attorney. If your parent is already mentally incapacitated, they may have already granted you (or another person) Power of Attorney in a Living Will.

Can a power of attorney modify custody?

Power of attorney gives someone other than a legal parent or guardian the right to make decisions about a child's welfare, but it does not establish legal custody. You can only modify legal custody through court proceedings.