What is Section 201 of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Section 201(b) contains a default rule prohibiting an agent that is not an ancestor, spouse, or descendant of the principal from creating 4 Page 10 in the agent or in a person to whom the agent owes a legal obligation of support an interest in the principals property, whether by gift, right of survivorship,
Can a power of attorney make themselves a joint owner of a bank account?
The POA cannot transfer the responsibility to another Agent at any time. The POA cannot make any legal or financial decisions after the death of the Principal, at which point the Executor of the Estate would take over.
What does power of attorney give you authority over?
A person with Power of Attorney for their parents cant actually add the POA to their bank accounts. However, they may change bank accounts to be jointly owned. There are some pros and cons of doing this, as discussed in the article POAs vs. joint ownership from NWI.com.
Which states follow the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
26 states have adopted the UPOAA: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
What is the downside of being a power of attorney?
Potential Disadvantages of Being a Power of Attorney If you breach your duty, you could owe the principal compensation for damages. The principal could sue you if you did not act in their best interest. A POA could be held responsible if they sign an agreement that could hold them financially liable.