Few relationships hold more legal power than spouses, except for a parent's or legal guardian's authority to make decisions on behalf of their children. Marriage bestows more than 1,138 federal rights and benefits on the wedded couple, including the tax-free transfer of property and division of marital property upon divorce.
Family Law, Power of Attorney. There are many reasons for a spouse to have power of attorney. The rights awarded to a spouse on the basis of the legal contract of marriage is more limited than you might think. A power of attorney will grant the spouse the authority to make decisions in the event the other spouse is unable to.
"Often, a power of attorney is given to another family member, business partner or another trusted adviser with specific expertise in a given discipline, like an attorney, CPA or business manager," he says.
Sometimes clients are concerned that if they name one child on a power of attorney it may look like favoritism and that the parent trusts one child over the others. So they may ask about naming more than one child as agent. This can solve some of the communication issues since all agents will have access to financial accounts and information.
Every state is different, every family is different but one thing is for sure. Remarriage with adult children is not for the faint of heart. A spouse can and most likely should be named one's POA with a 'default' or fall back POA named should that person be unable to serve in that capacity.
The rights awarded to a spouse on the basis of the legal contract of marriage is more limited than you might think. A power of attorney will grant the spouse the authority to make decisions in the event the other spouse is unable to.
Spouses do not automatically have power of attorney. A spouse or other family member would still require legal authority to act on the behalf of the person.
Many people believe that when they get married, their spouses automatically have the power to make decisions on their behalf however, this is not the case. Spouses do not automatically have power of attorney over each other's finances or health decisions.
However, if there is no will, then the attorney can apply to become an administrator of the estate, if they are the next of kin such as a spouse, child or relative of the deceased (but not usually an unmarried partner).