does the person given health care power of arr. become responsible for debts of patient
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
does the person given health care power of arr. become responsible for debts of patient
my grand-daughter thinks if she signs a power of att. or my living will she becomes responsible for my debts
Asked on June 15, 2017 under Estate Planning, Arizona
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
No, she will not--you can assure her of that. An agent or attorney-in-fact (those are the names for the person given power by the power of attorney) has the authority to act for the principal (the person giving her the POA) but does not become liable for any of his debts or obligations. It's similar to how the manager of a restaurant, business, or store can make decisions for the business, sign agreements or invoices for it, etc. but it's still the business, not the manager personally, who is liable. Similary, a health care proxy also does not make the person getting the power liable.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.