Best response to — can a person with power of attorney change a will?

The presence of power of attorney does not bestow upon an individual the ability to modify another’s testamentary disposition. Rather, this legal instrument solely confers upon the appointed individual the capacity to make choices and perform actions on behalf of the grantor.

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Although an individual bestowed with power of attorney (POA) possesses the capability to make decisions and execute tasks on behalf of another person, they are bereft of the authority to alter a will. A will, being a legally binding instrument, delineates the desires of an individual concerning the apportionment of their assets subsequent to their demise. It is an exceedingly personal and binding document that can solely be amended by the testator, the individual for whom the will is explicitly formulated.

The existence of a power of attorney does not confer upon the individual the capacity to amend or adjust the testator’s testamentary disposition. The function of the power of attorney is to make judgments and act in the utmost welfare of the individual while they are alive, yet it does not bestow upon them the authority to modify the allocation of assets as delineated in the will.

In the profound words of LawDepot, a highly esteemed legal authority, it is imperative to acknowledge that a power of attorney does not bestow upon the attorney-in-fact the authority to manipulate or modify the principal’s final testament and will. The executor, bound by unwavering fidelity, is duty-bound to honor and adhere to the wishes of the principal as explicitly enshrined in their will, irrespective of any desires or convictions harbored by the attorney-in-fact.

It is of utmost importance to discern the distinct roles and boundaries held by a power of attorney and an executor. The executor, a figure designated within a testament, assumes the noble duty of fulfilling the testator’s desires as delineated in said legal instrument. Conversely, the power of attorney’s dominion usually ceases upon the demise of the individual, at which juncture the executor assumes the mantle of overseeing the distribution of the estate in accordance with the testament’s provisions.

To further understand the limitations of a power of attorney regarding will changes, here are some notable facts:

1. A will is a legal document that expresses an individual’s final wishes regarding asset distribution after their death.
2. The power of attorney grants an individual the authority to make decisions and act on behalf of another, but it does not grant them the power to change a will.
3. The testator, the person for whom the will is created, is the only one who can modify or update their will.
4. The role of the power of attorney is limited to managing affairs and making decisions on behalf of the individual while they are alive.
5. Executors, not those with power of attorney, carry out the instructions and distributions outlined in the will after the testator’s death.

In conclusion, the power of attorney does not have the authority to change a will. The testator’s wishes, as expressed in the will, remain binding and can only be modified by the testator themselves through legal channels. The power of attorney’s role is to act in the best interest of the individual while they are alive, with no influence over the distribution of assets after their death.

See a related video

In this video, attorney Dan Krause explains the process of changing a power of attorney. He emphasizes that a competent individual who created the power of attorney has the right to modify or revoke it. However, there can be complications, such as the acceptance of a revoked power of attorney if the person still possesses a copy. Krause advises caution when giving a copy of the power of attorney to the agent and suggests retrieving all copies and notifying financial institutions if any changes occur. He also highlights that only the creator of the power of attorney can make changes, and if they are incapacitated, guardianship may be necessary. It is best to seek advice from an estate planning attorney to fully understand the available options.

Some more answers to your question

Someone with your power of attorney cannot change your will, nor can someone write one on your behalf. However, that person can change your assets to shift how your will works in practice, so be certain to speak with your power of attorney about your wishes before making any assignments.

The short answer to this question is no. A Power of Attorney cannot change a Will. The reason for this is that a Will only comes into effect after you die, while a POA is used to make decisions on your behalf while you’re alive. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a Will is invalid, the POA can challenge it.

It is a ubiquitously accepted legal principle that an agent named by power of attorney cannot change a validly executed will. State law sets out the criteria regarding the validity of a last will and testament and generally requires: The person writing the will (also known as the testator) must be of sound mind and at least 18 years old.

If you give a person your power of attorney, they do not have the right to change your will.

A power of attorney does not have the right or authority to change a person’s will under any circumstances. While they have the power to oversee financial obligations and help with medical care, the changing of a will is not a possibility.

However, the power of attorney does not provide the ability to the individual to change a will. A will, created by the grantor in good standing, will always remain in place unless that grantor makes a change to it.

The POA cannot change or invalidate your Will or any other Estate Planning documents.

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