Helping Others Help You (Powers of Attorney or POA)
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Powers of Attorney
How you can help others to help you
- There may be a time when you want or need help doing things for yourself.
- If this is the case, you can give someone else a Power of Attorney (POA).
- When you do this, you give them the power to act for you.
- If you give someone a POA to act for you, you can still act for yourself.
What Is a POA?
A POA is piece of paper allowing one person to act for the other person.
- When you give somebody a POA you are called "the principal" and the other person is called, "the agent."
- Another way to say "agent" is to say "attorney in fact".
What Powers Are Given?
- POAs give as much or as little power as you like.
- A POA can give someone the power to decide where you live, what doctor you see, and how your money will be spent.
A POA can give another person total control over your life.
- It is important that you do not give away more power than you want.
- You may wish to ask a lawyer how to make sure your POA gives you the control you want.
If I give someone a POA, can I still act for myself?
Yes.
- You can still act for yourself
- You can take the POA away if you choose.
Do I have to go to court?
No.
- You do not have to go to court.
- You do not have to have a witness or a notary.
- You must sign and date the POA.
- You do need write down what you want your agent to do for you.
- You do need to write the date you want the POA to start and end.
- Your POA can start and end with an event, like the onset of an illness or your death.
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See:
[More on Powers of Attorney][Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care][Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive form]
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