There are many do-it-yourself power of attorney forms available; however, it is a good idea to have an attorney draft the form for you. There are many issues to consider and one size does not fit all.
The internet has become an unprecedented tool for legal research and empowerment. For example, I write here to advance public awareness of estate planning law through the power of the internet, after all. Nevertheless, too much information also can lead to a dearth of actual information, or at least a lack of good useful information.
Beware of the simple estate planning tools you find online, as confirmed in a recent Elder Law Answers post.
Off-the-shelf and stock power of attorney forms not only can be ineffective, but they also can prove a liability and a detriment to your plans. Such forms may purport to cover every conceivable situation only to find that they do not satisfy the statutory substance or format required by your state.
Moreover, anyone who has had an encounter of the first kind with any aspect of a bureaucratic system (you’ve finished your taxes, right?) knows that one-size-fits-all forms have their limitations.
Please visit our website and sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter for articles and information on estate planning and elder law issues.
Reference: Elder Law Answers (February 2012) “Why Not Just Use an Off-the-Shelf Power of Attorney Form?”