Need an updated DPOA easily and inexpensively

keharris

I’m new here and my DH is living at home with probably mid-stage Alzheimer’s. I need to update his DPOA and he will be able to understand and sign, but I need convenience and affordability. Suggestions on where others have made one easy, inexpensive trip to get this updated form in place. I have so many other questions and look forward to interacting with this community.

Timmyd

I believe these may be state specific forms. I am in Texas. All that was necessary was that the form be printed out, and signed in front of a notary. The form was available online. I have a neighbor who is an attorney who I checked with to make sure this was the correct approach and he confirmed I had the correct form. It was pretty simple if you have a printer and are comfortable searching for the form on the internet. At least that is how it was in Texas.

DW was probably mid stage when we did this, but she was good enough to put her signature on the form in front of a notary.

harshedbuzz

@keharris

I'd ask around locally to get the name of an elder law specialist in your community. Someone from a in-person support group, the hair salon, your place of worship, or the area agency on aging might have some leads.

This is one of those areas where you get what you pay for. I would be very wary of a boilerplate POA. IME, most entities with which you will need to use a POA will be sending it to their legal département for vetting and they may not accept what you have and by the time you find this out, your LO may be beyond signing leaving you only the costlier guardianship/conservatorship option.

Mom had her DPOAs done by a CELA who will make house calls as needed. I used the POAs to sell cars, houses in 2 states and makeover their investment portfolios with no problem.

HB

jgreen

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/266152#Comment_266152

I agree @harshedbuzz You DO get what you pay for. Our attorney charged $500 for initial consultation and all the paperwork (done at second visit). It was well worth it as the forms are specific for my state - FL.

sandwichone123

Your bank or credit union may provide a free notary service. Whatever you choose, file the POA right away with whatever banks or other places you may need to use it. If you wait until you need it, the amount of time the process takes can be a major stressor. Also, you'll know if they're going to accept it or not.

H1235

A lawyer can offer more than just the DPOA. A living will might be a good idea. You may want to do a DPOA for yourself appointing someone other than your DH. He can’t make decisions for you if there was a medical issue. A lawyer can also advise you financially if you think medicaid may be necessary down the road. A lawyer may suggest moving money to a different type of account, changing the name on accounts from his to your, or doing a prepaid funeral. Only a lawyer can make the necessary recommendations.

terei

Ideally, you should see an attorney to advise you, but DPOAs are state specific and you can get legal documents on line if you decide that you want to do it on your own, you can get blank documents and use a notary

Be aware that some financial institutions are resistant to accepting POAs that are not specific to their institution.

https://www.legalnature.com/categories/personal-affairs/durable-power-of-attorney?fte=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&gcid=23532634202&gagid=198506258092&gtid=kwd-2257978600283&gd=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpYe6nOThkgMVQp9aBR1gECAGEAAYASABEgKFr_D_BwE&px=46&ft=mxa_c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23532634202&gbraid=0AAAAADulwb1VAA_VoXKvH3qpk4Cbx3t74

Carl46

I used a CELA I found when she made a presentation to an Alzheimer's Association meeting. One visit to the office to drop off a copy of the old trust and POAs we made 20 years earlier, and one to sign the new documents. I used a lawyer for the same reason I use a dentist; it is much better to spend a few hundred to get it done right than to spend thousands to get the errors dealt with.

While you are updating your LO's DPOA, you may want to update your own. If may not be HIPAA compliant if it is not recent. Also, it is important that the person who has your POA is not your LO with dementia.