FIVE POWER OF ATTORNEY MYTHS
Powers of attorney are documents where a person names a person (their “attorney”) to make healthcare and financial decisions for them if they are incapacitated. Such incapacity could be temporary or permanent. Some powers of attorney are drafted so that a person gives another person power to do something because they cannot. An example would be giving your adult child power of attorney to sign closing documents for the sale of your home because you live out of state.
Power of attorney lawyer O’Fallon, Missouri can help you draft these very important documents which are a cornerstone of any estate plan.
There are a few myths about these documents and here are five of them:
- Any Power of Attorney Form Will Work
The Web is an all too easy place to find a form for anything these days. However, with a power of attorney, every state has different rules and statutes to make the document legally binding. Forms online are often too general, do not contain details that are appropriate to your specific situation and are ambiguous. An even bigger problem is that by the time you discover the form document you printed doesn’t work, it’s too late. See below.
- You Can Sign a Power of Attorney At Any Time
Many people are unaware that you have to be mentally competent in order to create a power of attorney. However, very often a person needs a power of attorney because they are no longer competent.
Unfortunately, if that person is incompetent, it’s too late anda court has to determine whether the person should have a guardian and/or conservator appointed. It’s a much more dragged out process, it’s costly and can be challenged by others.
Bottomline, if someone you know is in need of a power of attorney, don’t wait. Act quickly before they lose competence.
- A Durable Power of Attorney Is Still Valid After Death
A power of attorney allows a person to make decisions for another only as long as they are alive. Once a person passes away powers of attorney are invalid. At death, the operating documents are the person’s will and/or trust.
For a healthcare power of attorney O’Fallon, Missouri, the last thing the agent can do is arrange the cremation or burial wishes of the deceased. This is called the Right of Sepulcher.
- A Power of Attorney Allows a Person to Do Whatever They Want
A person chosen to be a power of attorney has a fiduciary duty to the principal, the person who gave them authority. That means they have to act in the principal’s best interests at all times, even if it’s not stated in the document, which it usually isn’t.
It’s important to note, however, that fiduciary duties are broken all the time. Therefore, it’s important that a person choose a trustworthy individual to be there power of attorney. It also helps to name someone who knows a bit about financial matters and you know will act and act properly.
- If You’re Married, Your Spouse Is Already Your Power of Attorney
When it comes to a power of attorney, being married doesn’t automatically make your spouse your agent. That doesn’t mean they can’t be your power of attorney but they’ll need to be named so in the document, just like anyone else. You’ll also need alternates in case you and your spouse are both incapacitated at the same time.
For healthcare decisions, if you don’t have a healthcare power of attorney, you spouse is considered your first next of kin and can make decisions above anyone else. But the next of kin after your spouse may not be your choice, so it’s necessary to create a healthcare power of attorney. In so doing, you’ll also create a much needed healthcare directive, sometimes referred to as a living will or advanced directive. This document provides end of life instructions about medical treatment you either would or would not want to have withheld if a doctor determines it can’t heal you.
