What Type of Power of Attorney is Right?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a written document that individuals can use to grant decision-making authority to another person. Here are some common types of power of attorney in California:
>A General Power of Attorney gives broad authority to an agent to act on your behalf in various financial and legal matters and is valid until you revoke it or become incapacitated.
A Durable Power of Attorney remains effective even if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions for yourself. So, for instance, if you need a family member to manage your affairs during incapacity.
A Limited Power of Attorney, also be known as a Special Power of Attorney, grants limited authority to an agent for a specific purpose or within a specific timeframe. For example, you might use a limited power of attorney to authorize someone to handle a specific financial matter on your behalf while you are out of the country.
>A Medical Power of Attorney (healthcare proxy or healthcare POA), grants someone the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and cannot communicate your wishes. Don’t confuse this with an Advanced Healthcare Directive, which is allows you to express your healthcare preferences and make decisions in advance regarding your medical treatment. Always consult with an attorney to obtain a POA that correctly addresses your situation. And also note that CA law requires notarization of some POAs (ie. Durable). #Anshinotary
Frequently Asked Questions About Power of Attorney
What are the different types of power of attorney?
The main types include general, durable, medical, limited (special), and springing power of attorney. Each grants different levels of authority depending on your needs. Learn more in our guide to notary services that support POA documents.
What is a durable power of attorney?
A durable power of attorney remains in effect if you become incapacitated. It allows your chosen agent to manage your affairs even if you’re unable to make decisions on your own.
When should I use a medical power of attorney?
A medical power of attorney is used to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. It’s often part of an advance healthcare directive. You can also check our advanced healthcare directives page for related notarization info.
Can I have more than one power of attorney?
Yes, you can create multiple POAs for different purposes. For example, you might have one for finances and another for healthcare, each with a different agent if desired.
Do power of attorney documents need to be notarized?
In California, most power of attorney documents must be notarized to be legally valid. Anshin Mobile Notary can help you notarize your POA at your home, office, or hospital. Learn more about our mobile notary services.
