DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
This power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property (including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself. The meaning of authority over subjects listed on this form is explained in O.C.G.A. Chapter 6B of Title 10.
This power of attorney does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions for you. You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise in the Special Instructions, generally the agent's authority will continue until you die or revoke the power of attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for you.
Your agent is not entitled to any compensation unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions. Your agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in performing the acts required by you in your power of attorney.
This form provides for the designation of one agent. If you wish to name more than one agent, you may name a successor agent or name a co-agent in the Special Instructions. Co-agents will not be required to act together unless you include that requirement in the Special Instructions. If your agent is unable or unwilling to act for you, your power of attorney will end unless you have named a successor agent. You may also name a second successor agent.
This power of attorney shall be durable unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.
This power of attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.
If you have questions about the power of attorney or the authority you are granting to your agent, you should seek legal advice before signing this form.
I, _________, name the following person(s) as my agent(s):
Name of agent: _________
Agent's address: _________
Agent's telephone number: _________
Agent's email address: _________
GRANT OF GENERAL AUTHORITY
I grant my agent and any successor agent general authority to act for me with respect to the following subjects as defined in O.C.G.A 6B of Title 10:
(INITIAL each subject you want to include in the agent's general authority.)
________ Real property
________ Tangible personal property
________ Stocks and bonds
________ Commodities and options
________ Banks and other financial institutions
________ Operation of entity or business
________ Insurance and annuities
________ Estates, trusts, and other beneficial interests
________ Claims and litigation
________ Personal and family maintenance
________ Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service
________ Retirement plans
________ Taxes
LIMITATION ON AGENT'S AUTHORITY
An agent that is not my ancestor, spouse, or descendant SHALL NOT use my property to benefit the agent or a person to whom the agent owes an obligation of support unless I have included that authority in the Special Instructions.
My agent is entitled to reasonable compensation. My agent is also entitled to reasonable reimbursement of expenses incurred in performing the acts required under the power of attorney.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF POWER OF ATTORNEY
This power of attorney takes effect immediately unless I have stated otherwise in the Special Instructions.
RELIANCE ON THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY
This power of attorney revokes any other financial power of attorney previously executed by me, unless I have stated otherwise in the Special Instructions. Any person, including my agent, may rely upon the validity of this power of attorney or a copy of it unless that person has actual knowledge it has terminated or is invalid.
SIGNATURE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
__________________________________ | ________________ |
Principal Signature | Date |
Name: _________
Address: _________
Telephone Number: _________
Email: _________
Witness Signature: ___________________________
Name: _________
Address: _________
Telephone Number: _________
Email: _________
State of Georgia,
_________ County, ss:
On this _____ day of ____________________, ______, before me,
________________________________, personally appeared _________, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he/she executed the same as for the purposes therein contained.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
_________________________________
Signature of person taking acknowledgment
Notary Public
My commission expires _____________
This document was prepared by:
Name: _________
Address: _________
Telephone Number: _________
Email: _________
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AGENT
Agent's Duties
When you accept the authority granted under this power of attorney, a special legal relationship is created between you and the principal. This relationship imposes upon you legal duties that continue until you resign or the power of attorney is terminated or revoked. You must:
(1) Do what you know the principal reasonably expects you to do with the principal's property or, if you do not know the principal's expectations, act in the principal's best interest;
(2) Act in good faith;
(3) Do nothing beyond the authority granted in this power of attorney; and
(4) Disclose your identity as an agent whenever you act for the principal by writing or printing the name of the principal and signing your own name as "agent" in the following manner:
________________________________________________________________________
(Principal's Name) by (Your Signature) as Agent
Unless the Special Instructions in this power of attorney state otherwise, you must also:
(1) Act loyally for the principal's benefit;
(2) Avoid conflicts that would impair your ability to act in the principal's best interest;
(3) Act with care, competence, and diligence;
(4) Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions made on behalf of the principal;
(5) Cooperate with any person that has authority to make health care decisions for the principal to do what you know the principal reasonably expects or, if you do not know the principal's expectations, to act in the principal's best interest; and
(6) Attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan if you know the plan and preserving the plan is consistent with the principal's best interest.
Termination of Agent's Authority
You must stop acting on behalf of the principal if you learn of any event that terminates this power of attorney or your authority under this power of attorney. Events that terminate a power of attorney or your authority to act under a power of attorney include:
(1) Death of the principal;
(2) The principal's revocation of your authority or the power of attorney;
(3) The occurrence of a termination event stated in the power of attorney;
(4) The purpose of the power of attorney is fully accomplished; or
(5) If you are married to the principal, a legal action is filed with a court to end your marriage, or for your legal separation, unless the Special Instructions in this power of attorney state that such an action will not terminate your authority.
Liability of Agent
The meaning of the authority granted to you is defined in O.C.G.A. Chapter 6B of Title 10. If you violate O.C.G.A. Chapter 6B of Title 10 or act outside the authority granted, you may be liable for any damages caused by your violation.
If there is anything about this document or your duties that you do not understand, you should seek legal advice.