Power of Attorney: Drafting, Reviewing, and Revoking

Reasons for Drafting a Power of Attorney

There are numerous reasons why someone would authorize another person to act on their behalf. Depending on the principal's state of residence, multiple types of powers of attorney may be required. The most common types of powers of attorney include the following:

• Medical power of attorney – This document grants the attorney-in-fact the power to make medical decisions for the principal. A medical power of attorney becomes effective only when the principal cannot make decisions about their own medical care. A medical power of attorney is required in some states rather than a durable power of attorney.
• Financial power of attorney – In this document, the principal gives their authority to their attorney-in-fact to make financial decisions on their behalf. The powers may be limited to certain transactions such as real estate transactions, representing the principal at an IRS audit, or making all financial decisions on behalf of the principal. A financial power of attorney may be classified as a durable power of attorney, meaning it is still valid if the principal becomes incapacitated. Like a non-durable power of attorney, should the principal not suffer any incapacity, the power of attorney survives until the death of the principal.
• Springing power of attorney – These powers are triggered by a specific event and may grant the attorney-in-fact limited powers or broad powers. In nearly all cases, the power of attorney becomes effective when the principal is unable to act on their own behalf for any reason including illness, injury, or incapacity. A springing power of attorney is often used as an estate planning tool. This gives the principal more control over when the authority to act starts.

Choosing an Attorney-in-Fact

As the principal will be trusting someone to make very important decisions on their behalf as attorney-in-fact, they should delegate the authority to someone they trust implicitly. It is recommended that the principal speaks with the person before drafting the power of attorney. In the event of a medical power of attorney, or a living will, the principal should ensure that the person has a full understanding of the care they wish to have, what end of life decisions they are most comfortable with, and any other important information. Once these limits have been discussed, the medical power of attorney should be very specific regarding the principal's wishes, including decisions such as organ donation. The principal should also share their wishes with their family members and medical team.

If the principal is designating someone to look after financial matters in the event they are unable to do so, it is important to make sure the person knows what financial accounts the principal has. This means providing their chosen attorney-in-fact with information pertaining to bank accounts, investment accounts, and any other financial accounts they may need to access to provide care. In general, it may be a good idea to contact the financial institutions and provide them with a copy of the power of attorney for their files.

Limits of Authority

A power of attorney can make many decisions that could impact the principal. For example, if a financial power of attorney is issued, the attorney-in-fact can make financial decisions that include paying bills, opening and closing bank accounts, buying and selling real estate, and opening and closing investment accounts. This authority is limited by the language contained in the legal document should the principal decide that they do not want their attorney-in-fact to perform certain actions, such as closing a bank account, selling property, or opening investment accounts. However, unless the language limits this authority specifically, most financial actions are allowed by law.

Healthcare directives, or medical powers of attorney, give the attorney-in-fact broad authority to act on the principal's behalf. This person may have the right to refuse or order a surgical procedure, make decisions about do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, or in the event of the principal's death give direction for funeral and burial instructions. Like a financial power of attorney, the limits on this authority may be limited by the language contained in the original legal document. Anyone who has a written healthcare power of attorney should take care to ensure that their loved ones, medical team, and the person to whom the authority is granted has a clear understanding of their wishes as they pertain to their medical care.

Non-Durable Power of Attorney

A non-durable power of attorney is invalidated should the principal become incapacitated. This is an important distinction because most people execute a power of attorney for the specific purpose of protecting themselves in the event of incapacity. This predicament can be avoided through the use of a durable power of attorney. A non-durable power of attorney is commonly used for financial transactions in the event the principal is unable to be present. The document may expire upon the transaction being complete or it would automatically become void in the event of incapacitation or death.

What Authority Cannot be Delegated to Another Person?

While a power of attorney gives the attorney-in-fact the authority to act on the principal's behalf, in DC for example, there are legally imposed limits as to what authority the principal may designate. There are two specific areas where the principal cannot designate another person to act on their behalf: the attorney-in-fact may not cast a vote on the principal's behalf in a public election and an attorney-in-fact cannot modify the principal's last will and testament.

Trust documents may have terms that allow the person whom the trustee has granted power of attorney the right to modify a trust, including removing or changing trustees in the event the trustee becomes incapacitated. It is important to take state laws that may prohibit such acts into consideration when issuing a power of attorney.

When to Consider Reviewing a Power of Attorney

Generally, there are certain times when the principal should consider reviewing the authority they have designated to their attorney-in-fact. Clearly, a new attorney-in-fact should be named if the original attorney-in-fact dies. Generally, it is a good idea to review a power of attorney on an annual basis in case the principal wishes to make any changes.

Another important time to review a power of attorney is if the principal has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Remember, a power of attorney can only be altered or revoked while the principal is considered to be "of sound mind." If there is no power of attorney in place, the principal should take the opportunity to put one in place while they are still able to do so.

Changing a Power of Attorney

The principal of a power of attorney has the right to make changes to the terms of the power of attorney at any time. This means that they can change the authority they have granted, modify the start and end date of the authority, or change the person who has been granted power. In nearly all cases, this involves revoking the initial power of attorney. This is a legal matter and would require the principal to draft a new power of attorney (if desired), notify the current attorney-in-fact of the changes or revocation, and notify any parties who may be relying on the old power of attorney.

Changing Authority

Anytime a principal wishes to revoke a power of attorney, they have the right to do so. Revocation may be done when someone marries or divorces, or when they lose confidence in the person to whom they have granted authority. Oftentimes, parents grant a child the authority to act on their behalf. If a child moves away, the parent may decide to transfer the authority to another child or trusted friend or family member. As the person who will act as attorney-in-fact will be making decisions about the principal's health care or finances, they should make sure the person is both trusted and trustworthy.

Revoking a Power of Attorney

It is important to remember that each state may have specific requirements as to the proper legal process to revoke a power of attorney. However, in most cases, authority can be revoked if the principal is of sound mind, has notified the attorney-in-fact that they are revoking their authority, or if a new person has been named as attorney-in-fact. Regardless of the circumstances, special care should be taken to ensure the original attorney-in-fact is notified of the changes.

Revocation can be done in part or in full. For example, if there is a financial power of attorney in place that provides broad power to a third party, the principal may wish to restrict what the attorney-in-fact is able to do. The principal could specify that their attorney-in-fact is only able to pay bills, therefore withholding authorization to open or closed accounts. They may also have additional authority to purchase and sell real estate or securities. The important thing to be aware of is that the principal has complete control as long as the original documents do not restrict them from doing so and that they are in control of their mental faculties.

Once a power of attorney has been revoked, or the terms have been modified, the principal should ensure that there is no way for their attorney-in-fact to act on their behalf. If it becomes apparent that the attorney-in-fact has used the authority to accept actions on the principal's behalf, they should be notified in writing that the power of attorney has been revoked. For example, if the attorney-in-fact wrote checks from the principal's checking account, transferred securities from the principal's brokerage account, or had bills transferred from the principal's mailing address to their own, the proper steps will need to be taken to ensure the appropriate parties are notified of the change.

Conclusion

A power of attorney can be a powerful estate planning tool and can help you to prepare for the unexpected. Without a power of attorney in place, should you be injured in an accident and are unable to communicate, there is no way for your loved ones to access the funds that may be necessary to provide for your care. In addition, your loved ones may be unable to communicate your wishes for your medical care unless you have taken the necessary steps to put a medical power of attorney in place.

How to Create the Power of Attorney Documents that You Need

We provide a wide range of power of attorney forms so that you can create the documents that you need in minutes online. Select a form below to get started.

• Power of Attorney Form
• Revoke Power of Attorney Form