Adopt Autograph Medical Power Of Attorney Template For Free

A power of attorney (PoA) is a document that gives another person the legal authority to act on your behalf as per the terms mentioned in the document.

The Durable Power of Attorney In other words, you'd use a durable POA if you wanted to give your agent authority once you're unable to act for yourself. Because of this, many consider a durable POA to be the most powerful type of power of attorney.

You must sign your Medical Power of Attorney before two witnesses or have your signature acknowledged by a notary public. You also have to read a disclosure statement that explains what a Medical Power of Attorney does, and you have to sign a statement saying that you read and understood the disclosure statement.

While you aren't financial liable, as the attorney-in-fact, you're still the point of contact for the principal's debts. Creditors have a right to attempt to collect the funds that are owed. They don't, however, have a right to harass you.

For most people, the best option is to have a general durable power of attorney because it gives your agent broad powers that will remain in effect if you lose the ability to handle your own finances. An attorney can customize a general POA to limit powers even more?or add powers, Berkley says.

A Power of Attorney Could Leave You Vulnerable to Abuse Often, this does not happen ? at least not unless or until abuse of power becomes egregious. Because of the potential that an agent could take advantage of you or steal from you, it is very important that you select the right person to act as your agent.

The POA cannot transfer the responsibility to another Agent at any time. The POA cannot make any legal or financial decisions after the death of the Principal, at which point the Executor of the Estate would take over. The POA cannot distribute inheritances or transfer assets after the death of the Principal.

You can get a blank Power of Attorney form from: a stationery store or other store that sells pre-printed legal forms. your estate planning lawyer, or. Section 4401 of the Probate Code .