How To Get an Affordable Power of Attorney
When planning your affairs in case of an emergency, high costs can often be a barrier to peace of mind. However, a free POA form download may be just what you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll show you how to get a power of attorney without breaking the bank.
The Costs of a Power of Attorney
It’s difficult to put a specific price on the power of attorney process, but involving a lawyer could bring it up to at least $300. If they charge an hourly rate, the time you spend working out the fine details will quickly add up. Taking the lawyer out of the equation might be risky, but it could help if you’re concerned about costs.
Witness and notarization laws are different from one state to another, but you’ll likely need to get two witnesses for the POA’s signing. There are, however, some simple arrangements that only need the agent and principal there. Some states require a notary in addition to two witnesses. In many cases, that can be another fee (usually around $25-50) to bear in mind.
Why Use an Online Template?
There are some services that offer a free digital power of attorney form — specifically one that suits your situation, including your home state. These templates have everything that you’ll need in order to create a legally binding contract. Here are the main benefits of an online POA form.
- Cost-effective: You can skip most lawyer fees by using a pre-made template that already accounts for every basic POA requirement.
- Accessibility: You’re able to view the completed document online and show it to anybody who requires a copy for their records.
- Efficiency: If you insist on involving a lawyer, getting them to check a template is quicker (and cheaper) than drafting the POA.
- Peace of mind: With a comprehensive pre-written power of attorney form, you know that every detail is in your best interests.
- Online guidance: The services that create these templates will have the answers to all of your power of attorney questions.
- Privacy: For sensitive matters, you can use a POA template to avoid a lawyer or another professional seeing the information.
- Flexibility: You can print out the template and use it in the traditional way, or conduct this business online using e-signatures.
Consider Doing Your Own Research
Even if you don’t opt for a convenient online template, researching the available options will help you save both time and money. For example, you could investigate if a special or durable power of attorney is best for your situation. This is something you’re able to figure out for yourself, and without paying a lawyer hundreds of dollars by per hour.
Looking up your state’s specific power of attorney laws might also prepare you for any logistical hurdles that lay ahead. If you live in Pennsylvania, for example, your document must have the signatures of two witnesses (neither of which can be the agent) and a notary public. In contrast, California only needs the notary’s approval if it’s a real estate transaction.
While notary services usually cost money, many banks throughout the US have free notarization for their customers. JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co., the Bank of America, and other major centers currently offer this, so check to see if you could be eligible. By planning ahead, it’s possible to avoid certain fees that would otherwise add to your POA’s total cost.
Should You Pay for Legal Advice?
Many people turn to a lawyer when filling in their power of attorney. They could help with drafting it to begin with, or they might give premium legal advice. In either case, this is where the bulk of POA fees come from. If you do use their services, having a template at the ready will help lower the final cost.
Legal advice can be invaluable if you need peace of mind about your power of attorney. In some complicated cases, you might even prefer to get a lawyer’s opinion. For example, if you’re deciding who can make medical decisions while you’re comatose. When your life could quite literally be on the line, it’s best to be sure.
However, it might be possible to get free or low-cost advice. For example, legal aid firms and pro bono attorneys include this among their services for people who qualify agreed abogadomall.com. If you’re writing the power of attorney on behalf of an older family member, a senior citizen center can possibly offer free assistance. If in doubt, your POA form provider will usually answer any questions.
Conclusion
To summarize, it’s still possible to draft a power of attorney document without paying hundreds in lawyer fees. An online template can make sure you have everything you need, while your due diligence can save on other costs. However, consider legal advice if you need reassurance that everything is in order.
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