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What Is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney, or POA, is a legal document that lets you appoint a person or organization to manage your medical, property, or financial affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. Different types of POAs will give your attorney-in-fact or agent, the individual you choose to make the decisions for you, different levels of control.
General Power of Attorney
A general power of attorney will give broad powers to the attorney-in-fact (also known as the agent) you appoint. Some powers that a general power of attorney covers include the following:
- Conducting business and financial transactions
- Operating business interests
- Purchasing life insurance
- Making gifts
- Settling claims
- Hiring professional assistance
A general power of attorney is useful if you would like someone to handle some or all of these matters on your behalf. This type of POA often will be included in an estate plan to ensure someone can always handle your financial concerns. Contrast this with a durable power of attorney, which remains in effect even if you become mentally incompetent. A durable power of attorney is typically used in state planning as well.
What Can't My POA DO?
If your power of attorney document does not include specific limitations, it will give your agent broad power over financial or medical decisions. Regardless, the agent is expected to act in the best interest of the principal, the person authorizing the agent to act on his or her behalf. An agent cannot do the following:
- Alter the principal's will, but they may have authority to make changes to the estate plan, such as creating or amending the trust
- Break the fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the principal
- Continue to make decisions on behalf of the principal after death
- Transfer or change power of attorney to another party
The agent can continue to make decisions following the death of the principal if:
- The principal names the agent as the executor of the will. An executor of a will is the person legally responsible for managing the finances of the deceased.
- The principal dies without a will, and the agent petitions to become the estate's administrator. An estate administrator is the person a court appoints to administer an estate of a deceased person who did not have a will.
An agent does have the right at any time to decline an appointment. An agent cannot, however, choose who will take over the role unless the principal has named an alternate or co-agent in the same POA document, or the principal is still competent to appoint someone else.
When Will the POA End?
A power of attorney document generally becomes null and void in any of the following circumstances:
- The principal revokes the POA.
- The principal specifies an expiration date.
- The principal becomes mentally incompetent.
- The principal dies.
However, a durable power of attorney remains in effect even if the principal becomes mentally incompetent. A principal is considered mentally incompetent in the following circumstances:
- The principal cannot make informed decisions.
- The principal is incapable of communicating his or her decisions.
- The principal has a medical condition from injury or disease, such as unconsciousness or a coma.
- The principal is in a poor state of health that renders the individual mentally incapacitated or disabled.
Durable Power of Attorney
You may choose to sign a durable power of attorney to ensure that you avoid any problems if you become mentally incompetent as a result of an accident or illness while you have a POA in effect. A durable power of attorney is a general, special, or health care power of attorney document that also includes a durability provision that keeps the current POA in effect if you become incapacitated.
You may include provisions stating that the POA cannot go into effect until a physician certifies that you are truly mentally incompetent, even naming the specific doctor you want to make the determination about your competency. You can also require that two licensed physicians must agree on your mental state for the POA to go into effect.
Special or Limited Power of Attorney
You can sign a special or limited power of attorney if you want to detail the exact powers your agent can exercise. A special power of attorney will frequently be used for someone who cannot handle certain affairs because of health reasons or other commitments. A special power of attorney document may specify matters such as the following:
- Managing real estate
- Selling property, including personal and real property
- Handling business transactions
- Collecting debts
Health Care Power of Attorney
You can determine a health care power of attorney if you want to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you. A health care POA will typically be used if:
- You are unconscious
- You are mentally incompetent
- You are otherwise unable to make medical decisions on your own behalf
- You are conscious, competent, and want to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
A health care power of attorney is not the same as a living will , a document in which you state your wishes for end-of-life medical care in the event that you become unable to communicate your decisions. Many states will let you include your preference for whether you would like to stay on life support in this POA document. Additionally, some states may allow you to create an advance health care directive that combines a living will and health care power of attorney.
Choosing the Right Power of Attorney
Trust will be the most important factor when you select your agent. Individuals you may appoint as your agent include a relative, friend, attorney, or organization.
You want to make sure you choose someone you know will act in your best interest. You also want to know that your agent will respect your wishes, and you should trust that your agent will not abuse the powers you grant.
An agent should keep accurate records of any transactions made on your behalf and should give you periodic updates. To safeguard yourself further, direct your agent to give these updates and accounts to a third party, such as an attorney, if you are not able to review the updates yourself.
Appointing Multiple POAs
You may appoint multiple agents. If you do so, you will need to determine whether your agents must act separately or jointly when making decisions.
Benefits of appointing more than one agent include the following:
- Multiple agents can ensure more sound decisions by working together
- The agents will act as checks and balances for each other
Disadvantages of appointing more than one agent may be as follows:
- Multiple agents can disagree on decisions
- One agent's other commitments could delay all agents from reaching a decision
- Either scenario can hold up important legal document signatures or transactions
If you decide to appoint only one agent, you should also have a successor. A successor agent will take over POA duties from the first agent if necessary. Examples of occasions a new agent will need to take over can include the original agent falling ill or becoming injured, or otherwise being unable to serve when needed. If you appoint a successor agent, you can be sure the person chosen is someone you also trust.
Does a POA Have Legal Liability?
Legal liability for a power of attorney agent is limited. The agent will only be held responsible in cases of intentional misconduct. An agent will not be legally responsible if he or she does something wrong without knowing it.
POA documents will include these protections to encourage appointed agents to accept the detailed responsibilities. Agents typically perform duties without financial compensation. If you or a loved one suspects that wrongdoing on the part of your agent has occurred, immediately report the abuse you suspect to law enforcement and speak with an attorney.
Consult with an attorney when drafting important documents so that you know you have someone you trust to make important decisions for you in times of need.
Meet some of our Power of Attorney Lawyers
Nicholas M.
Nicholas Matlach is a cybersecurity expert (CISSP) and an attorney who is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. He is a client-focused professional who has a deep understanding of the challenges that small businesses face in the digital age. He also provides legal counsel to small businesses on a variety of issues, including formation, intellectual property, contracts, and employment law.
Jeremiah C.
Creative, results driven business & technology executive with 24 years of experience (15+ as a business/corporate lawyer). A problem solver with a passion for business, technology, and law. I bring a thorough understanding of the intersection of the law and business needs to any endeavor, having founded multiple startups myself with successful exits. I provide professional business and legal consulting. Throughout my career I've represented a number large corporations (including some of the top Fortune 500 companies) but the vast majority of my clients these days are startups and small businesses. Having represented hundreds of successful crowdfunded startups, I'm one of the most well known attorneys for startups seeking CF funds. I hold a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Business/Corporate Law, a Master of Business Administration degree in Entrepreneurship, A Master of Education degree and dual Bachelor of Science degrees. I look forward to working with any parties that have a need for my skill sets.
Sarah S.
With 20 years of transactional law experience, I have represented corporate giants like AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as mid-size and small businesses across a wide spectrum of legal needs, including business purchase agreements, entity formation, employment matters, commercial and residential real estate transactions, partnership agreements, online business terms and policy drafting, and business and corporate compliance. Recognizing the complexities of the legal landscape, I am dedicated to providing accessible and transparent legal services by offering a flat fee structure, making high-quality legal representation available to all. My extensive knowledge and commitment to client success establishes me as a trusted advisor for businesses of all sizes.
Keidi C.
Keidi S. Carrington brings a wealth of legal knowledge and business experience in the financial services area with a particular focus on investment management. She is a former securities examiner at the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Associate Counsel at State Street Bank & Trust and has consulted for various investment houses and private investment entities. Her work has included developing a mutual fund that invested in equity securities of listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other listed real estate companies; establishing private equity and hedge funds that help clients raise capital by preparing offering materials, negotiating with prospective investors, preparing partnership and LLC operating agreements and advising on and documenting management arrangements; advising on the establishment of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs/Token Offerings) and counseling SEC registered and state investment advisers regarding organizational structure and compliance. Ms. Carrington is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in International Relations. She earned her Juris Doctorate from New England Law | Boston and her LL.M. in Banking and Financial Law from Boston University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York. Currently, her practice focuses on assisting investors, start-ups, small and mid-size businesses with their legal needs in the areas of corporate and securities law.
Namrita N.
Retired Dentist transitioned to Law, with a special interest in Commercial Real Estate, Startup businesses, Asset Purchase Agreements, and Employment Contracts. I love to help dentists and physicians with legal issues pertaining to licensing, credentialing, employment, and general business-legal questions.
August 13, 2021
Jim S.
Jim Slattery most recently served as General Counsel at Regional News Network, a large owner of broadcast television stations. Jim is an experienced attorney with broad-based expertise. He is a seasoned negotiator who has been involved in negotiations as complex as the Olympic Games. Jim spent 18 years as Vice President for Business and Legal Affairs at NBCUniversal. Previously, Jim worked in the media industry in various roles at All American Television. Jim’s success can be attributed to his ability to properly analyze data, manage projects, lead teams, develop creative solutions for complex problems, focus on strategically optimizing assets, manage/allocate risk and collaborate with divergent constituent groups to achieve objectives. Jim received a J.D. and a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
September 19, 2021
Jonathan H.
I’m an attorney focusing my practice on concierge corporate and intellectual property law for startups and high-growth companies. I also serve as outside General Counsel to several businesses in various sectors. Since founding my practice I've worked with hundreds of clients across a variety of industries. My experience as a former General Counsel of a premier edtech company gives me unique insight into the challenges my clients face and how to resolve them efficiently and cost-effectively.
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Browse Lawyers NowProbate
Power of Attorney
New Jersey
Can I hire someone to negotiate with my brother to settle or dead parents estate
Parent passed 7/2021 3 siblings, 2 agree completely on everything, the 3rd stole 200k over the last 2 years, strike his inheritance house for $1 and still wants 1/3 of remaining assets. Mom was incompetent by he was poa and breached his duties. We have mountains of bank records and just want him to go away with everything he already stole. He won't talk to us and his lawyer is hiding from phone calls.
Michael B.
I certainly could have a detailed conversation, for free, and see how I can assist. I have more than 30 years experience as a lawyer in New Jersey, and I also am a trained mediator. If you want to contact me, we can schedule a mutually convenient time for a review of the circumstances.
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Michigan
How can wife get power attorney from sibling for mother?
My wife is trying to get power of attorney for her mom from her sister that only wants her money and now we have her mom and her sister is keeping her I’d and birth certificate so she has no control of her money gave her a bank card with no pin and no I’d so she can’t go to the bank and get her money
George B.
Generally, if a person is competent, he or she can revoke a power of attorney at any time and execute a new one in favor of someone else. Every individual/business that is aware of the previous power of attorney will need to be notified that it has been revoked and given the updated power of attorney. However, if a person has any conditions that may be impairing mental functions, it may be necessary to petition the court for guardianship/conservatorship. Both of these scenarios can get complicated incredibly fast, and you should consult with a lawyer in either situation.
Elder Law
Power of Attorney
Connecticut
How to get power of attorney of my mother
My mother has Alzheimer's and she doesn't remember to pay her bills, so it's a struggle for me to get belongs to pay her bills because she's always miss placing them or she doesn't want me to pay them for her. So every month I pay her bills. I give her, her medicine every single. She has to move in with me but before we move I have to be power attorney to her.
Howard B.
If she is unwilling to sign a power of attorney document, you will need to take up an adult guardianship lawsuit. Connecticut appears to have adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, which typically will simplify what is required to draft a power of attorney document. An attorney should be able to do that for you cheaply here on Contracts Counsel. However, if your mother will not voluntarily sign a power of attorney document, then you will have to try to obtain a guardianship. I should mention that the uniform power of attorney document may not allow medical decision making, so you may need a more complicated document. Either way, you will need to speak to an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Texas
Power of Attorney
Revoking power attorney
T. Phillip B.
Typically anything written which indicates you are revoking it should be sufficient. It should be delivered to your agent. I would also deliver it to any banks or other places where your agent may use the POA.
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Georgia
I'm trying to have help my step mom get power of attorney for my dad
My dad's finance ( they have been together for 15 years so we kinda her my step mom) is trying get power of attorney of my dad. He's on house arrest and he is fixing go to prison so he wants her to have power of attorney.
Igor B.
Hello. In your case, a power of attorney should be: 1. Signed by your father, 2. Notarized, and 3. Attested by a witness who is not named as an agent. Although your father is under house arrest, it is possible to arrange the signing at his house.
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