Rakesh Apte
Thank you Lawtendo for drafting in power of attorney
“Vest your trust, but not in the wrong person.” A power of attorney giving the right to one person acting on behalf of another person may be a very handy tool. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, it can be miserable! A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document by virtue of which one person (known as the agent) can act on behalf of the other person (known as the principal). The agent enjoys some general or ordinary power, specific, special, or financial power about the property, finances, or medical care of the principal. This is mainly used in the absence of the principal or in the event of his illness or disability. Conventionally, it is given to a person of trust of the principal. It may become incapacitated for a number of reasons like the death of the principal, revocation by the principal or by the court, or when the agent can no longer perform the given responsibilities. Things Power of Attorney Allows us to do: POAs are mainly of two types- medical and financial. A medical power of attorney enables the agent to decide over the medical care that the principal receives in case he is incapacitated. A financial power of attorney enables the agent to make financial decisions including investments on behalf of the principal. Things that a medical POA can do are- Take decisions regarding medical care including surgery, hospital care, psychiatric treatment, home health care, etc. Take decisions regarding the doctors and care providers that the principal uses. Take decisions regarding long-term care, such as assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes in case the principal lives but not in a healthy condition. Takes decisions about the fooding habit and bathing habit of the principal. Things that a financial POA can do are- Get access to the financial account of the principal to pay for health care bills, housing needs, and other provisions. Taxes are filed on behalf of the principal. Take decisions regarding the investment of the principal. Pay and collect the principal’s debts and manage his property, both movable and immovable. POA gives considerable power in the hands of the agent to deal with the medical and financial aspects of the principal. However, there are a few things that a POA cannot do. They are- Agents cannot change a principal’s will. Cannot break the fiduciary relationship. If the principal has not named the agent as executor of his will or the principal does not have a will, the agent cannot make financial decisions after the death of the principal. An agent cannot transfer his power of POA to someone else. Requirements for a Power of Attorney The power of attorney may be instituted by any natural person having the capacity to contract. The requirements are- The power of attorney should contain the date of execution. The document must be signed by the principal and any other adult in the presence of the principal and according to his directions. POA is signed and acknowledged before a notary public and is signed by two witnesses. The witnesses cannot include attorney-in-fact in case of a durable POA. In the case of an online POA, Aadhar card and ID card is mandatory. Also, the document should be notarized.
Drafting the power of attorney with the assistance of a documentation lawyer hired from the lawtendo platform.
Submitting the power of attorney and all the required documents to the sub registrar who has jurisdiction over the area where principle resides
Attesting the drafted power of attorney and two witnesses before the registrar
Once the submission is done, it takes about 8-10 weeks to register for POA. Also, the validity period of POA in India is 30 days. By law, it is not valid after the death of the principal or after it has been revoked. If the agent is acting in an improper way, the family members of the principal can file a suit against him on the ground that the agent is not acting in the best interest of the principal.
Identification proof of the parties (such as Aadhar card, voter ID card, PAN card, Driving license, etc).
Witnesses should also bring their identification proof.
Address proof of principal and agent(s)
Passport-sized photographs of the parties.
Electricity bill/index bill/tax receipt of the property (If POA concerns some property)
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