do i need an attorney to do the paperwork to establish general durable power of attorney over my mother? ...

Jurisdiction: 

Area of Law: 

Question: 

do i need an attorney to do the paperwork to establish general durable power of attorney over my mother?

Selected Answer: 

A power of attorney is an

A power of attorney is an agent, appointed to make decisions for the principal regarding either medical care or principal's financial affairs. In Georgia, the new Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare has replaced the power of attorney for healthcare. Therefore, this form should be completed to authorize you to make healthcare decisions on behalf of your mother. You can find additional information about the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare on the Division of Aging Service’s website www.aging.dhr.georgia.gov. In addition, in 1995 Georgia created a form to complete if an individual would like an agent to act on their behalf regarding their financial affairs. This form is similar to the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare, and both forms can be completed without an attorney. However, for the forms to be valid, two witnesses must be present when both forms are signed. For additional information regarding how to complete the Georgia power of attorney form regarding financial affairs and see an example of the form, visit http://www.goextranet.net/Civil_Cases/PowerAttorney.htm. If your mother is incapable of making decisions on her own at this point, you may need to meet with a Georgia attorney to determine how to create a durable power of attorney for her healthcare decisions or financial affairs.

All Comments

A power of attorney is an

A power of attorney is an agent, appointed to make decisions for the principal regarding either medical care or principal's financial affairs. In Georgia, the new Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare has replaced the power of attorney for healthcare. Therefore, this form should be completed to authorize you to make healthcare decisions on behalf of your mother. You can find additional information about the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare on the Division of Aging Service’s website www.aging.dhr.georgia.gov. In addition, in 1995 Georgia created a form to complete if an individual would like an agent to act on their behalf regarding their financial affairs. This form is similar to the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare, and both forms can be completed without an attorney. However, for the forms to be valid, two witnesses must be present when both forms are signed. For additional information regarding how to complete the Georgia power of attorney form regarding financial affairs and see an example of the form, visit http://www.goextranet.net/Civil_Cases/PowerAttorney.htm. If your mother is incapable of making decisions on her own at this point, you may need to meet with a Georgia attorney to determine how to create a durable power of attorney for her healthcare decisions or financial affairs.