What if there is no paragraph titled "Effectiveness" in a durable POA, Designation of Health Care Surrogate and Preneed Guardian

Attorney answers (4)

1. Licensed in FL

   

   Joseph PippenPro

   Largo Estate Planning Attorney

   Contributor Level 20

   

   EmailVisit website

   7

   Lawyers agree

   Answered March 21, 2013 15:00. It is effective as soon as signed unless the document has stated other conditions.

   The answer given does not imply that an attorney-client relationship has been established and your best course of... moreThe answer given does not imply that an attorney-client relationship has been established and your best course of action is to have legal representation in this matter. less

   • Mark as helpful
   • Flag
2. Licensed in FL

   

   Adam Troy RaumanPro

   Saint Petersburg Estate Planning Attorney

   Contributor Level 13

   

   EmailVisit website

   6

   Lawyers agree

   Answered March 22, 2013 07:10. As stated by the other attorneys, a Durable Power of Attorney and/or Health Care Surrogate are effective the date the document is signed unless the document states otherwise. Please have an attorney review the documents to confirm the effective date and confirm that the documents were executed correctly.

   Answer does not constitute legal advice. (727) 471-0039 or arauman@protectyourfuture.com, This answer is... moreAnswer does not constitute legal advice. (727) 471-0039 or arauman@protectyourfuture.com, This answer is provided for informational and/or educational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Adam is a Florida Attorney practicing in areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Trusts, Probate, Guardianship, and Business Law. Actual legal advice can only be provided after completing a comprehensive consultation in which all of the relevant facts are discussed and reviewed. less

   • Mark as helpful
   • Flag
3. Licensed in FL

   

   Dennis PhillipsPro

   Plantation Estate Planning Attorney

   Contributor Level 17

   

   EmailVisit website

   6

   Lawyers agree

   Answered March 22, 2013 10:58. In Florida, we used to have what were called "Springing" powers of attorney that sprang into effect upon the incapacity of the grantor; but those have been legislated away. The problem was that banks complained that people were coming in with DPOA forms claiming that the grantor was incapacitated and demanding to be able to access their funds.
   
   So, nowadays, once a grantor signs a power of attorney or one of the advanced directives that you listed, then it's effective right away. By the way, make sure that the pre-need guardian form gets filed in the county where she lives. File it with the county recorder. It will cost about $10 per page, give or take. That way, if/when there is ever a guardianship proceeding in that county, her wishes while she still had capacity to voice them are on file and can be given due consideration by the Court.
   
   Does the durable power of attorney include powers to make health care decisions? If not, then you might want to help her to get one of those so she can executed it during a period of lucidity. Declarations of Health Care Surrogate are pretty good; but they require more red tape as far as an official finding of incapacity than a HC DPOA which is effective regardless of any formal findings.

   Dennis Phillips is an attorney and financial planner based in South Florida. He is a member of the Florida bar, he... moreDennis Phillips is an attorney and financial planner based in South Florida. He is a member of the Florida bar, he holds the nation-wide Series 65 Investment Advisor license, and holds an insurance license in Florida and Virginia. Disclaimer: The response above is not legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. The response is in the form of legal education and is intended to provide general information about the matter within the question. Oftentimes the question does not include significant and important facts and timelines that, if known, would significantly alter the above response. less

   • Mark as helpful
   • 1 comment
   • Flag
4. 

   Barry Poulson

   Hillsdale Criminal Defense Attorney

   Contributor Level 20

   6

   Lawyers agree

   Answered March 21, 2013 18:29. There are a few types, but mostly as my colleague suggests: when signed. It would only take a few minutes to show the documents to an attorney to be sure everything is in order.

   We do not have a client/attorney relationship until you make an appointment, we discuss your case face to face, I... moreWe do not have a client/attorney relationship until you make an appointment, we discuss your case face to face, I accept a retainer, and we explictly agree to enter into representation. less

   • Mark as helpful
   • Flag