Cana Power of Attorney be transfered?
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Cana Power of Attorney be transfered?
Dad is unconscious in Neuro ICU after brain hemorrhage/stroke 3 weeks ago. He never revoked an old POA or created a new one naming me (daughter) as POA like he wanted to do. People named in the old POA don’t want the responsibility now. Can they transfer or default to me by recusing themselves or do I have to petition for guardianship? If I have to petition, what state do I do that in? I live in TX; Dad is resident of MT; stroke occurred while traveling in CO (he’s being treated there).
Asked on April 22, 2011 under Estate Planning, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
No, a power of attorney, or POA cannot be transferred. The only person who can invest power of attorney in someone is the person creating hat power--in this, your father. The power is personal to them; it's not like a contract to do construction, which can be assigned or subcontracted. The person's given a power of attorney may refuse to exercise it, but they can't give it to someone else. (Often, a POA will designate a back up attorney, so that if the first person won't do it or is unavailable, it then goes to someone else--but that designation is made by the person granting the power, when the power is made.)
However, as the child, if the people with a POA refuse to exercise it, you, as next of kin, will be consulted on medical decisions in any event--assuming there is no spouse who would be first in line to exercise this authority. That's not getting the POA, but will give you substantial say over what happens medically.
As for other issues (finances, bank accounts, insurance, paying bills, etc.)--you may have to seek guardianship to take care of them. You would most likely do so in the state where your father is being treated, but this is easily determined--you can contact the CO courts and/or ask the hospital's attorney/legal department, which has undoubtedly been involved with similar matters before.
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