| |
Contact Us
Hours:
8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
or by appointment
Phone: (360) 273-5941
Fax: (360) 273-6946
Physical Address:
10109 Highway 12 SW,
Rochester, WA 98579
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 310,
Rochester, WA 98579
Toll free:
Outside Rochester, Centralia and Olympia:
(800) 294-1371
Get a Map!
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Tips for using powers of attorney |
|
| |
Powers of attorney are potent documents which appoint another person--the attorney in fact, or agent--to take certain actions for the maker of the document. Powers of attorney are only effective while the maker is alive, in most cases; powers terminate with the death of the maker. A well-drafted power of attorney can avoid the need for court appointment of a guardian if the maker becomes incompetent. The attorney-in-fact can ONLY perform the acts listed in the power. The acts must be performed to benefit the maker, not the attorney-in-fact.
It is very important for the attorney-in-fact to be able to document all payments made under the power of attorney. One good way to do this is note them in a check ledger, and keep all receipts. The attorney-in-fact may be called upon to justify the expenditures by a court or by Adult Protective Services (APS) which responds to complaints of financial exploitation and investigates and penalizes attorneys-in-fact if it appears that the maker's resources are not being used to the benefit of the maker. This investigation can result in wide-ranging consequences, including listing the attorney-in-fact on a list of "abusers" which can, in turn, lead to loss of licensure for such areas as providing home care.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
