What Is a Power of Attorney?
When you want to give someone you trust the power to act for you, how do you do it? At Bernardini Law P.C. in North Andover, MA, experienced real estate attorney Christine Bernardini prepares power of attorney documents for clients who want delegate certain authorities to others. Here, she explains how you can use a power of attorney in business and personal matters.
How a Power of Attorney Can Help You
Power of Attorney Defined
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives one person—deemed an agent or an attorney-in-fact—the authority to act on behalf of another person, the principal. A principal signs a power of attorney to allow their agent to conduct business affairs, such as signing contracts, purchasing or managing real estate, and withdrawing bank account funds. Principals can also empower agents to make personal medical and financial decisions for them.
Durable Power of Attorney
Massachusetts recognizes a durable power of attorney. The difference between a durable and regular POA is that under a durable POA, the agent’s authority continues even if the principal becomes disabled. Durable POAs enable agents to carry on their principal’s business and personal affairs when they can no longer do so.
Revoking a Power of Attorney
A principal can include an expiration date or grant authority for a specific event, such as a single real estate transaction or business decision. To revoke a POA, a principal should give the agent written notice that the POA is revoked as of a specific date, and ask the agent to return all copies to the principal. The principal should notify their attorney and send written notice of revocation to others who may have received copies of the POA.
Bernardini Law P.C. drafts durable and regular POA documents and is familiar with their use in real estate transactions. To learn more about how a power of attorney can help you, contact Bernardini Law P.C. in North Andover, MA. Call (978) 794-5525 today to schedule an attorney consultation appointment, and like them on Facebook for more information.
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