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A power of attorney is a legal document where you give someone the authority to act for you.

For prospective law firm clients who want to schedule a free 15 minute initial phone call with Paul Rabalais, go to: https://go.oncehub.com/Paul8

People often misunderstand their power of attorney. The following are ten key concepts (four definitions and six practical effects) that often come up when someone is either creating or using a power of attorney:

(1) A General Power of Attorney. A general power of attorney is comprehensive. It is often use to pay bills and handle other daytoday activities.

(2) A Limited Power of Attorney. This is a power of attorney for a limited purpose. For example, you are leaving town for three weeks and you won't be present to attend a real estate closing. You may give someone a limited power of attorney to handle anything related to only that transaction.

(3) A Durable Power of Attorney. This power of attorney remains effective after you become incapacitated, which is, quite frankly, the reason most people create a power of attorney. In , all powers of attorney are "durable" unless the specifically provide otherwise.

(4) A Springing Power of Attorney. This power of attorney has no legal effect until it "springs" into effect. A springing power of attorney becomes effective, typically, when the person who created the power of attorney becomes incapacitated. In a springing power of attorney, it is important to clearly define the standard for determining incapacity.

(5) Can They Clean Out My Bank Account. If you give someone power of attorney, they will likely be able to go to your bank and withdraw your funds. However, they have a duty to take actions that are only in your best interest. They would be stealing your money if they went to your bank and withdrew funds and spent those funds on themselves.

(6) Does Certain Language Need to Be in the Power of Attorney? If you expect the person you appoint to be able to do things like make donations, deal with a Succession on your behalf, buy sell or lease things on your behalf, or make your health care decisions, then the power to to those things, and other things, must be expressly granted in the language of the power of attorney document. These rules can vary state to state so check with a good estate attorney in your state to determine which powers must be expressly provided for.

(7) Can I Appoint More Than One Person? You can appoint more than one person to act for you, but do so with caution. Many financial institutions and other third parties do not like to be forced to work with two or more people, together, on a power of attorney. If you must name more than one, consider appointing them to act "jointly or separately."

(8) Must Third Parties Honor Every Power of Attorney? No, a third party cannot be forced to honor a power of attorney that is presented to them. If there is something that they do not like about it (too old for their liking, not the right wording, etc.), they may not honor it.

(9) Do Powers of Attorney Get Recorded. Initially when signed, most powers of attorney do not get recorded at the courthouse. However, when it is time to use the power of attorney, some third parties may require that the power of attorney be recorded, and that the courthouse produce certified copies.

(10) Is My Power of Attorney Effective After I Die? No chance. Your power of attorney is no longer effective after you die. If assets in your name must be transacted after your death, the court will confirm your executor or appoint your administrator to deal with matters after your death.

So I hope you take to points from this post:

(1) Take care of this and all other components of your estate planning legal program while you are well; and

(2) Make sure you give power of attorney to someone you trust, is responsible, and someone you know that will act solely in your best interest, and not their best interest.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read on this site. Using this site or communicating with Rabalais Estate Planning, LLC, through this site does not form an attorney/client relationship.

Paul Rabalais
Estate Planning Attorney
www.RabalaisEstatePlanning.com
Phone: (225) 3292450