South Carolina General Durable Power of Attorney for Property and Finances or Financial Effective upon Disability

Most states offer simple forms to help you create a power of attorney for finances. Generally, the document must be signed, witnessed and notarized by an adult. If your agent will have to deal with real estate assets, some states require you to put the document on file in the local land records office.

Draft a list of special powers. Decide what powers are springing. Pick an agent and a successor agent. Note the expiration date. Compile the information into one document. Execute the power of attorney letter.

Determine if one is needed. Under a few circumstances, a power of attorney isn't necessary. Identify an agent. Take a look at the standard forms. Notarize the written POA, keep it stored safely, and provide copies to important people. Review the POA periodically.

Include their address, relationship to you, phone number, or email address. Also specify whether the durable power of attorney applies to financial decisions, health care decisions, legal decisions, or all three areas. Include any instructions you would like to leave for your agent.

1. About the Power of Attorney. A Durable Power of Attorney may be the most important of all legal documents.It can be used to give another person the authority to make health care decisions, do financial transactions, or sign legal documents that the Principal cannot do for one reason or another.

Choose an agent. Before you begin to fill out the form, you have some decisions to make. Decide on the type of authority. You can choose whether you want your POA to be broad or narrow. Identify the length of time the POA will be in effect. Fill out the form. Execute the document.

Determine if one is needed. Under a few circumstances, a power of attorney isn't necessary. Identify an agent. Take a look at the standard forms. Notarize the written POA, keep it stored safely, and provide copies to important people. Review the POA periodically.

To create a legally valid durable power of attorney, all you need to do is properly complete and sign a fill-in-the-blanks form that's a few pages long. Some states have their own forms, but it's not mandatory that you use them. Some banks and brokerage companies have their own durable power of attorney forms.