Power of Attorney in Manchester, NH
Have you ever wondered who would take care of your finances or make decisions for you if you were unable to do so for yourself? Don’t worry about leaving it up to whoever the law says has this right. Look into securing a power of attorney. This legal document can help you prepare for any situation where you may need someone else to make decisions for you. With the help of an attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire you can easily set one up and get peace of mind today.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
The American Bar Association defines power of attorney as a document that gives someone the power to act on your behalf as a legal agent. This authority can be either temporary or permanent. The result is that your designated agent can manage your affairs without your written approval.
Why Would You Need a Power of Attorney?
One reason to pursue a POA is for convenience, allowing someone you trust to manage your assets without needing your approval each time. In New Hampshire, a POA can bypass certain checks, giving your designated agent the authority to act on your behalf.
Another common reason for a POA is the need for support in decision-making if you’re unable to make legally sound choices. A POA offers security by empowering someone you trust to handle matters for you, which is especially helpful for seniors or those with serious physical or mental conditions that limit their ability to manage their affairs.
Types of Power of Attorney In Manchester, New Hampshire
Not every POA grants the same powers to your agent. You can choose from a variety of different POAs. This allows you to cater to what best suits your situation.
General Power of Attorney
A general POA grants an array of powers to the agent. This can include:
- The ability to handle your financial matters and accounts
- Power to manage your insurance needs
- The ability to operate your business
- The ability to make business decisions on your behalf
- Power to hire or fire employees
- The ability to settle claims against you
- The ability to change your estate plan.
You may use this type of POA if you will be away for an extended period and need legal representation in Manchester, NH to handle your affairs. This legal arrangement may happen during your absence. It may also occur in a situation where you cannot make the decisions on your own due to an illness or injury.
Special Power of Attorney
A special POA is more specific, giving you the power to sign off on distinct powers granted to your agent. For example, if you only want someone to sign off on real estate deals, a limited power of attorney would be proper. You may also choose to use a special POA when you don’t have the time to deal with specific affairs due to time or health constraints.
New Hampshire’s Statutory Form Power of Attorney allows you to assign general powers or select from a list of specific powers in your Manchester POA. These powers include real property, business operations, digital assets, and banking transactions. In addition, the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration’s DP-2848 Form allows you to authorize someone to handle your tax affairs. The Form allows you to specify the types of tax and the tax periods included in your agent’s authority.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A healthcare POA gives your agent the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unconscious or unable to decide for yourself. Depending on state laws, this could include serious choices, such as whether to end life support.
A healthcare POA is particularly useful if you’re elderly or facing illness, where you might not be able to make your own decisions. By designating a trusted person, like your child or a close friend, you ensure that your care continues in line with your wishes.
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney (DPOA), enables the agent to control specified functions. DPOAs are useful if you anticipate losing your mental faculties, such as after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In essence, it acts as a preventative safeguard.
Under New Hampshire law, a Manchester power of attorney is durable unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the principal’s incapacity. In addition, New Hampshire law dictates that a general POA or a real estate POA must be signed by the principal before a notary public. Any other kind of POA need not be notarized. However, a signature on a POA is resumed to be genuine if it is notarized. Consequently, it is advisable to notarize any POA in Manchester.
Choosing an Agent
The person you choose as an agent should be someone you trust. Often, people choose a family member as they usually have your best interests in mind and are close to you. However, you can select any individual to be your POA. Keep in mind that whoever you choose will be in charge of managing your affairs. This should be someone you trust to honor your wishes.
Appointing Multiple Agents
As a principal, in Manchester, NH you have the right to appoint multiple agents. You decide whether these agents act together or make separate decisions. Having two or more agents establishes a system of checks and balances. This procedure keeps one agent from making too rash of a judgment. However, it can also lead to discrepancies that may cause delays.
At the very least, it is crucial to have a backup POA should something happen to your primary. A successor agent can take control once the primary agent either passes away or cannot carry out the duties of an agent.
Revoking a Power of Attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire
You have the right to revoke your power of attorney at any time as long as you are of sound mind to do so. You will have to put your revocation in writing and file it with the same place in Manchester, NH that handled your original POA paperwork.
Another party may also try to revoke your POA. Although, that becomes a much more complex legal proceeding and would be difficult to prove in court. The person would have to show the agent has done something to jeopardize your interests.
You can revoke your power of attorney (POA) at any time. As long as you are mentally competent. You can revoke the POA by providing written notice to the agent. It is also advisable to inform anyone else who relies on the POA of the revocation. Be aware that executing a new POA does not revoke a prior POA unless you include language that expressly revokes the prior POA.
Using a POA to Protect your Interests
You can insert provisions into your agreement that force your agent to report to an outside party. For example, a family accountant or a designated medical doctor could fill this role. This arrangement adds another layer of security and guarantees that another party can review decisions.
Under New Hampshire law, you can designate more than one agent in a Manchester power of attorney (POA). Unless your POA states otherwise, the co-agents must exercise their authority jointly. In addition, an agent who does not participate in or conceal a breach of fiduciary duty committed by another agent is not liable for the breach. Furthermore, under New Hampshire law, guardianship does not automatically revoke or suspend a Manchester POA. Instead, the Hillsborough County Probate Court can decide to continue, limit, or end the agent’s powers.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File POA in Manchester, New Hampshire?
It’s always a good idea to consult with an attorney who specializes in trust or estate matters. POA paperwork can be intricate, so having an experienced lawyer by your side is invaluable. A legal professional can also assist in adding provisions to protect your interests in situations where you’re unable to advocate for yourself.
Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Manchester, New Hampshire
If you want to create a power of attorney, you should begin by speaking with an attorney. We can match you with an experienced Manchester lawyer that can help you navigate your POA. We can even help you connect with an attorney across New Hampshire state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
Answers to legal questions can often lead to more questions. If you’re seeking more about an area of law in Manchester, NH, we’ve got you covered.
