Free General (GPOA) Power of Attorney Template

Life could happen to anyone. A situation that might render you completely helpless, thereby needing the help of another, could happen. A general power of attorney comes in handy at this point. Therefore, it’s essential to always plan. A general power of attorney is a type of power of attorney that enables agents to represent principals in any legal action. Invoking or waiving the principal’s contractual rights, for instance, or buying or selling stocks for the principal, are just a few examples of how the agent could act on their behalf. 

Although a general power of attorney typically has limitations imposed by statute or case law. You can only designate a power of attorney to be effective if you become physically or mentally incapable of making decisions for yourself in the future. This type of power of attorney, known as a “springing power of attorney,” kicks in as soon as a medical emergency renders you unable to make decisions for yourself. The principal’s property, finances, investments, and medical care may be subject to the agent’s decision-making, who may be given all-around or restricted rights.

A power of attorney expires when its principal dies, cancels it, or is declared null by a judge. A POA also expires when the creator divorces the partner designated as the agent or when the agent can no longer perform the specified tasks.

In this in-depth piece, we’ll cover all aspects of a general power of attorney, including what it is, how it functions, and how to make one.

What is a General Power of Attorney?

A General Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants one person, known as the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact,” the authority to act on behalf of another, known as the “principal.” This broad authority encompasses various financial, legal, and personal matters, including managing finances, signing documents, and making decisions if the principal becomes incapacitated. Unlike a Limited or Specific POA, a General POA doesn’t have restrictions based on specific tasks or situations. It offers a comprehensive delegation of power, making it a versatile tool for individuals who wish to grant broad decision-making authority to a trusted representative, especially in complex or ongoing matters. 

Depending on the conditions mentioned in the paper, the reach of this authority may be both wide or restricted.

Importance of a General Power of Attorney

A general power of attorney is essential for the following reasons:

1. Financial management: A general power of attorney enables a person you trust to handle your financial concerns, including bill payment, investment management, and decision-making while away.

2. Legal representation: Your agent or attorney-in-fact can stand for you in legal matters, such as contract signing, property sales, or tax preparation.

How a Power of Attorney Works

A general power of attorney is generated and utilized following these crucial steps: 

1. Choosing an Agent: Pick a dependable person to serve as your agent. This individual must be trustworthy and committed to serving your interests.

2. Obtaining the document: The governing body may purchase or obtain the GPOA template. If either of the two techniques is used to obtain the template, the principal must ensure they are residents of the state. The principal should not presume that the paperwork obtained is correct since POA documents are highly crucial. Before the POA procedure can start, the POA paperwork must be verified.

3. Notarization: It is required to get the principal’s autograph notarized in many states. The witness’s signature may occasionally need to be notarized as well. Some legal restrictions don’t often apply. However, the principal’s place of residence affects the processes and regulations. 

4. Agent’s Responsibilities: As soon as the General POA is put into force, your attorney-in-fact can start making the decisions and executing the duties you’ve given them.

5. Revocation: As long as you’re mentally capable of doing so, you may rescind or modify the GPOA at any moment.

Setting up a Power of Attorney

Setting up a power of attorney has its rubrics. However, Being sane and being at least 18 years old are the minimum prerequisites for becoming an attorney-in-fact. Also, selecting someone who shares your worries is critical since they will make crucial financial and medical judgments. They must be reliable, and it is advantageous if you can get along with them.

Going further, couples primarily grant each other power of attorney. If you don’t have a partner, you might choose a parent, grown kids, relatives, or close friends. To be on the safe side, you may designate two or more attorneys-in-fact and provide them each dual power of attorney. 

Although, the presence of many agents has benefits and drawbacks. If you select a single relative, your single attorney-in-fact may come into conflict with another person who is significant to you. That might incite rage and perhaps legal action. Alternatively, if you choose more than one agent, it can take more time for them to come to a consensus. Except you give each agent precise duties, everyone must concur on all judgments. 

The delay can be a major issue if these are crucial financial or medical issues. There are benefits to selecting just an individual for this reason. Whether you designate one attorney-in-fact or more, ensure to select one or more replacement attorneys-in-fact in case your preferred representative isn’t available or can’t respond when necessary.

Consider all of your alternatives carefully. Once you’ve selected your choice, it’s best to keep these specifics to yourself and your chosen attorneys-in-fact. Divulging this judgment with more than an individual could lead to unneeded conflicts and anger between individuals who weren’t your selected agents.

Guidelines for Drafting a Power of Attorney 

Although the specifics may vary, the following guidelines are valid nationwide:

1. Use the Correct Format: POA forms come in a variety of formats. While some POAs are designed to end when the Principal dies, others are not.  Create a POA tailored to the powers you want to award after deciding which ones.  The POA must also meet your state’s criteria. Use the digital space to discover a template that will be recognized by a court of law in the state where you reside, or seek a local estate planning expert for assistance. Using a lawyer is the best course of action. Also, verify to see if your state mandates that you use a specific jargon.

2. Identify the Parties: The principal is the individual who authorizes the POA. Either the agent or the attorney-in-fact is the person who is given the power of attorney.  Fill in the names of the principal and the attorney-in-fact in the appropriate vacant line provided.

3. Delegate the powers: A POA can be as comprehensive or specific as the primary desires. Even if the principal gives the agent a general POA, all the powers must be specified.  This means the principal can’t offer broad sovereignty, such as “I delegate all things having to do with my life.”

4. State durability: In many states, a POA expires if the principal becomes incompetent. If this occurs, the only way an attorney-in-fact can maintain their authority is if it was expressly stated in writing that it is durable, which makes it valid for the duration of the principal’s life, except the principal cancels it.

Below is an image of how this should be:

5. Notarize the POA: Powers of attorney must often be notarized, according to most states. If a notary’s seal and signature are on the paper, it may be simpler for the attorney-in-fact, even in jurisdictions that don’t.

6. Record It: Not every POA must be officially filed with the county to be valid. However, for most estate planners and anyone who wants to document it, recording is a standard procedure.

7. Filing it: A court or government agency must file certain types of POAs before they can be deemed valid, according to several jurisdictions.  Ohio, for example, mandates that the juvenile court receive a copy of any POA employed to bestow grandparents guardianship of a child.  A POA that transfers real estate must also be registered with the country where the property is situated.

Final Thoughts

In a general power of attorney, your agent has extensive authority. The POA grants an agent considerable authority—possibly the most power of attorney allowed.

A GPOA is a vital instrument. However, it has its complexities. The nature of an attorney-in-fact authority might vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction, as can the ordinances governing GPOAs. It is essential to obtain advice from an experienced lawyer to navigate this legal environment successfully. They may assist you in creating a GPOA that is customized to your particular situation and guarantees adherence to local laws. A well-written POA may ensure that your relatives are well taken care of, safeguard your possessions, and dispel any claims of financial mishandling. 

Powers of attorney might be a huge benefit if you travel a lot. If you cannot manage your finances and medical care alone, appointing a trusted person as your agent can make you relaxed, and your intentions will be honored.