Adult Bore: Anyone ever filed a Power of Attorney

[Stoney Mason]

Probably not the best forum to ask on but has anyone ever had to file a power of attorney over anybody. I can obviously just google the information but its always easier to ask somebody who may have been through the process. Was wondering about the steps needed to do it, the cost, and the length of time it takes to complete the process. Thx in advance if anybody has.

[Dickie Dee]

Don't have much idea and won't ask details but sorry about what I assume is a shitty situation.

[Stoney Mason]

Context?  I have like 14 people that have power of attorney for me due to customs docs I need filled out and I have power of attorney for several people as well.

For a parent that is progressively sicker, bed-ridden, and hospital prone. They are currently in a hospital now for instance. I'm on their main bank account but I need control over some of their stocks and their pension and social security income.

[benjipwns]

Yeah, depending on your state you can sometimes just get them off a website and fill them out and all you really have to deal with is the notary and stuff. For example, for Michigan: http://www.michbar.org/elderlaw/pdfs/durable.pdf

Just check your states website or google "[state] power of attorney" and there should be directions on there somewhere. Sometimes you can get "packs" that will have instructions, related documents and stuff. Those aren't too expensive if I recall.

As noted, checking with a lawyer is always a good idea involving money/stocks/pensions. There are lawyers out there who only deal with, or have as a key focus, power of attorney cases, Google Maps can actually be pretty useful for finding them, phonebook ads are still good for something like this.

You can usually call up the office and describe the basic situation and they'll tell you what to do for free. (Even if that advice is "how about you come on in.")

[Mupepe]

I had power of attorney over my dad.  I never had to use it but he had his lawyer set up the paperwork and I just signed it and the attorney took care of anything else.  It was like a week or two after I signed that he said it was all good to go.  I had authority over medical and financial decisions.  It was really easy to do.  It was the state of New Mexico btw.

[Bebpo]

It shouldn't cost much or take much time.  It tends to be a standard form that you just fill out with an attorney and then have notarized to ensure its' authenticity.  You can limit the scope of it very narrowly if you want to.

[Bebpo]

Also while you can do it on your own since it's just a form and go to a notary, I think it's a good idea to do it with an attorney if you think there might be any limiting restrictions at all, just to make sure everything is written up properly.  If I had to guess, the cost of doing it through an attorney would probably be about $500 or less.