Do it Yourself Power of Attorney Online 2021

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A power of attorney is a legal document that empowers another person to make decisions in your name concerning financial affairs, health, and personal welfare, or other legal matters. The person granting the POA is called the principal. The other chosen person to act for the principal is called attorney-in-fact or your agent. A free power of attorney is a useful tool which can help you sort your life. However, it can be dangerous if it is placed in the wrong hands. There are many types of POA depending on their purpose. A durable power of attorney is the most common form of a POA for estate planning reasons, finances, and healthcare. In today’s article, we will explain the process of do it yourself power of attorney.

We will also discuss why a POA is useful and why it is a brilliant idea to help your loved ones to obtain it for specific cases. So, let us see how you can create an online free international power of attorney.

What Is a Power of Attorney (POA)?

A simple free power of attorney document empowers someone to decide or work on your behalf during specific situations when the Principal is mentally unable to decide. However, a durable power of attorney is mainly used in estate management and a simple legal option to safeguard your property when you become unable to do so. On the healthcare parameters, the power of attorney for healthcare allows you to share your choices through your attorney-in-fact when you are unable to speak.

You can also get your free power of attorney online if you have the proper knowledge.

Eligibility for Free Power of Attorney

Two critical requirements to design a free and valid POA are:

• Both persons (the principal and attorney-in-fact aka agent) should be adults with sound mental capacity during the creation of POA.
• You should have a notary or witnesses.

Suppose you want your loved one to have a durable power of attorney. In that case, your loved ones will have to sign a POA in front of a notary public or two witnesses of sound mental capacity. Both of you should sign the documents in each other’s presence. The witnesses or notary should not be your agent/attorney-in-fact, healthcare provider, or a team member of your healthcare provider company. After proper research, you can also make a free power of attorney online.

Process of getting a Power of Attorney in California

First of all, you will need a power of attorney form. In California state, the state Probate Code provides an formal form for financial POA as well as a healthcare POA under Section 4401 (Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney) and 4701 (advanced healthcare directive) under the Probate Code. These forms provide the option simple or durable POA, effective instantly or after mental unavailability.

If you want, you can also take legal assistance from a power of attorney lawyer or an online service to create and execute a free Power of Attorney. By using online facilities available, it is easy to create free online power of attorney.

How do I make a Power of Attorney?

• In California, the Principal should be an adult, i.e., 18 years or above, to be eligible for power of attorney. Along with the age requirement, the principal should legally enter into a POA contract. Also, a POA should be signed by the principal by two witnesses or a notary.
• If a power of attorney offers your agent the right to handle your real estate transactions, then the document is notarised. Also, the designated attorney-in-fact in a POA is not eligible to be the witness.
• In the case of a healthcare POA, the witnesses, your healthcare provider, or an employee of your healthcare provider cannot act as witnesses. Also, the Power of Attorney form must be witnessed by a patient ombudsman and two witnesses if you are a nursing home resident.
• Once the Principal signs the form, POA comes into force. Now, ensure that you safely keep the form and give its copy to your agent.

Types of Powers of Attorney

Apart from being durable or non-durable, there are other powers of attorney based on the power given to the agent.

• A General Power of Attorney is a vast document that provides your agent the power to manage a vast range of financial matters for the Principal.
• A springing POA is enforced when you (the principal) are incapacitated. In springing POA, the agent can decide on your behalf solely when you are mentally unable to do so.
• A healthcare POA gives your agent the power to make healthcare-related decisions on your behalf only when you are incapacitated.
• A limited POA is helpful when the Principal not comfortable with granting a single person complete control but still need the protection of having a formal and legally valid representative. A limited POA allows one agent to act in your name within a limited scope, i.e., they may represent you only for a short time, or under a specific circumstance, or for only a particular purpose or transaction. A limited POA is complicated and needs careful preparation by a professional. For example, you may plan an important work trip, but your house’s closing is scheduled while you are out of the station. In such a case, you have the option to opt for a limited POA that authorises the attorney-in-fact to manage only the particular transaction.

Things to consider while designing your POA

• Ensure that you choose the right type of power of attorney according to your needs and fill the appropriate form accurately.
• Ensure that the document has the date of execution somewhere in the document as California law mandates the date of execution in the POA.

An appropriate power of attorney is instrumental as it eases the process and helps you sort out things. A durable financial POA will negate any financial adversity if the Principal is not capable mentally. Also, you can use a POA to allow the agent to transact business on your behalf if you are out of town or unavailable for any other reason. If you want to make sure that all your assets are covered, then a POA is crucial. Along with a testament, a power of attorney for finances and healthcare must be an essential part of everyone’s estate planning documents. The best way to go about the process is to get a free power of attorney online. A power of attorney costs almost nothing if you do it yourself. However, if you want legal assistance, you can also hire a power of attorney lawyer having expertise in the field.