Posted on August 12, 2010.
What can you do with a proxy? A proxy is a legal form that will allow someone to appoint another person to legally act on his behalf. Person who creates the POA (power of attorney) is called the director and the person designated to act on behalf of the principal is called the agent.
A need a POA fills for many people is their need to help their elderly parents of their financial affairs. Aging is a process that we all have to go through, but it can be a lot easier with a POA. When we become physically or mentally debilitated to a point where we do not want or can not handle our finances, it's nice to be able to appoint a trusted child or family member as our agent. With a durable power a "proxy", we can give them the power to withdraw money from our bank account to pay bills and manage funds, even when we become mentally or physically. A general POA is more effective when the principal is incapable, that is why they created the durable POA is now recognized in all fifty states.
Some people do not realize they need a durable POA during a sudden crisis, but most people that is established with an estate plan. Most lawyers, including Julian S. Bush, a senior real estate partner with Shea & Gould, recommend any person 60 years or older must create an enduring power of attorney because "it's the danger zone." He continued by saying that it is equally desirable for young clients, but noticed that they tend to resist the idea of sharing power over their assets.
There are many different types of POA forms but all are dismissed. At any time you can revoke a POA with a "revocation of the proxy. A limited power of attorney is used when someone wants to appoint an agent for a period or for a specific task. A limited POA is usually used for things like real estate transactions or when someone needs to finance their treaties when they travel abroad.
A general power of attorney authorizes an agent to act in all the directors of the business or financial affairs. However, when the officer is incapacitated, mentally or physically, the powers granted to the agent are automatically revoked. Unfortunately, this is usually when power is most needed.
Some states, like New Jersey, have laws that allow the use of a "jumping" POA. Other states, like New York and Connecticut, do not allow their residents to use a springing POA. They call their lawyer to suspension because they "spring" into action when the principal is incapacitated. Sometimes they cause problems is because the hospital can not demand things like a court order the court may require direct evidence of disability, as a letter signed by the physician. This is why most lawyers, like David P. Callahan, a lawyer with Whitman & Ransom, for example, instead of a springing POA use a durable POA because "The power confers a lasting power immediately," then saying, "He is unable to survive."
Another use is to fill the capacity to allow the agent to make decisions on the extent and nature of medical treatment of the donor. Some people create a separate document for this, while others added to the regular power of attorney in their estate plan with more specific provisions, which could include giving the agent the power to sign declarations tax or access to a safe.
Warning: This article was written for information and interest only. The information contained in this article is the opinion of the author and should not be construed as legal advice or legal decisions. Consult a lawyer in your area if you are looking for legal advice.