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Martha007 Asked September 2018

How is it done, POA and Advance Directive documents. Do I need a lawyer?

chdottir Sep 2018
I think it is best to use a lawyer. We used one for my Mom, and he asked some valuable questions that tailored the DPOA to Mom's needs.

That said, I would say using an online form (by state as recommended in another comment) would be WAY better than nothing.
waterfalls Sep 2018
Thank you so much! Will do!!
polarbear Sep 2018
My mother only receives monthly Social Security and she only has one bank account. Very simple. My brother is going to taking my mother to the bank to fill out a bank form designating him as her financial POA for the account. The bank has a notary public who will notarize the signature. I believe we only have to pay the notary public fee which is $15.

While we're there, I plan to bring along a preprinted Medical/financial POA form we get from the internet (many sites where you can get this from and pay around $50 or less), fill it out , sign and have it notarized at the bank by the same person.

I also plan to ask my mother's doctor for any other form we need to sign to make decision on her behalf. And I think we should have the basis covered.
waterfalls Sep 2018
Wow thanks Polar for that info. Not everyone can afford a lawyer. This points me in the right direction for my mom's situation. I also have to file for guardianship. Mom still thinks she's 45 and does not like talking about end of life decisions. Too painful for her. She s fighting for her independence at the ALF. It's always something!!

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Daughterof1930 Sep 2018
When you don’t have lawyer money you can either look for free legal services sometimes provided by lawyers or you can purchase state specific legal documents online, fill them out, and sign them in front of a notary. May not be perfect or include everything a lawyer would help you think through but it works in a pinch
waterfalls Sep 2018
Thank you Daughter for the info!! Very helpful to those of us under financial stress!! Very helpful!!
Tothill Sep 2018
Are you looking for yourself or a parent? When I had my Will updated, I had POA (Healthcare and medical) created at the same time. All were prepared by a lawyer and it cost me just under $1000.

The POA documents had to be signed by the POAs and the Healthcare one also needed to have the POAs' signatures notarized.

Due to the nature of the documents, I would use a lawyer.

My mother more recently updated her will etc and I had to sign as her POA too.
waterfalls Sep 2018
Great advice!! But what to do if you don't have $1,000.00 to pay for a lawyer?

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