A Power of Attorney for Child is a legal form used by parents to grant temporary delegation of parental authority to someone else.
This individual is referred to as an “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” and is legally authorized to act on behalf of the minor.
A POA for Minors is less permanent than guardianship and can be used to grant more limited authority in specific situations.
The authority is usually granted for a period of around 6 to 12 months.
Since you are giving authority to make decisions for your child to another person it is also essential to choose an agent that you completely trust.
When to Use a Power of Attorney for a Minor
A Power of Attorney for Minors is appropriate when there is a need to grant authority to another person or organization to make decisions regarding your child.
It is used when the parent or legal guardian is unavailable, typically due to one of the following reasons:
- Military service
- Surgery
- Business or recreational travel
- Imprisonment
However, it can be used for any reason a parent cannot be present to make crucial decisions on their child’s behalf.
While a POA for Minors grants an individual to make decisions for your child it does not give them custody.
If you would like to transfer legal custody to someone else, you should use a Temporary Guardianship form.