When you entrust significant financial responsibilities to someone, he will carry out your instructions in your capacity. Power of attorney is required to empower someone to do your financial duties. In such cases, people doubt, “Can a power of attorney transfer money to themselves?”

Power of attorney is a relationship based on trust. It is not let loose to that extent where an authorized agent can transfer money to his personal use using the legal grant of power. This legal grant of power is protected by the law to prevent the random transfer and to safeguard the principal’s interest.

Usually, aged people who are mentally incapacitated from signing the documents or interested in estate planning can hire an attorney on your behalf. Since he is well-versed in the legal provisions can help you with this task. When you grant power of attorney, it is the grant of absolute power and hence of great significance.

Can a power of attorney transfer money to themselves?

He can act on your behalf but not transfer all your money to his account except in some cases. He can withdraw funds if you have structured the grant in such a way that needs no written consent. However, usually, everyone carefully places a clause of written consent to withdraw funds while entrusting financial responsibilities to someone.

What is power of attorney?

When you grant legal authority to someone to make financial decisions on your behalf, it is power of attorney. Sometimes, he can also decide matters relating to your medical care. He can sign on your behalf, enter into contracts and make you responsible for his decisions. He can access your secret information and secret documents.

A power of attorney can authorize a person to carry out all financial responsibilities or be limited to executing a specific thing. An example of a limited grant of authority is when you allow your tax preparer to file tax returns on your behalf. In such a case, the IRS will grant permission to your tax preparer to file the documents.

Here your tax preparer has access to your secret documents such as IRS and bank account details but can’t buy a house on your behalf. You have to prepare a separate power of attorney in such a case. In the former case, his authority as a legal agent is limited to filing documents.

However, due to a lack of knowledge about power of attorney, you can think about whether someone with power of attorney can withdraw money. If you appoint a medical power of attorney, he can decide whether to put you under medical care or withdraw the life support. 

It grants complete authorization and doesn’t hold him responsible for his actions. Before you bestow the power, you need to get a certificate from your doctor saying you are incapable of making decisions. The doctor who treats you should obey the instructions given by your power of attorney according to the federal laws of the state.

Another type of power of attorney empowers a person to act on your behalf when you become incapable of making decisions. A practicing doctor should certify you are incapable of making decisions on the happening of which power of attorney can act on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions:

#1 Can the power of attorney transfer assets to the grantee’s wife or children? 

No. He is not authorized to transfer assets to the principal’s wife or children. Power of attorney should have the written consent of the grantor for such a transaction. If it is without the principal’s knowledge, the transaction is void.

#2 Can the power of attorney transfer assets to his account? 

Yes, if the grantee allows such a transfer.

Related Posts:

• When Does A Power Of Attorney Expire?
• Does Power Of Attorney Override Executor?
• Can a Power of Attorney Change a Will?
• Can Power Of Attorney Stop Visitors?
• Is Power of Attorney Responsible for Nursing Home Bills?

Conclusion:

People appoint a power of attorney when they want to do estate planning or are incapable of carrying out financial responsibilities themselves. Power of attorneys can bank accounts, pay bills, make health-related matters, enter into contracts, make purchases, and bind the principal for his actions. 

However, if you have a doubt can a power of attorney take money for personal use? Then, the answer is No. Almost all the states in the US prohibit power of attorney from self-dealing. It is to uphold the safety of the principal and prevent power of attorney from entering into fraudulent contracts.