Should I name an alternate in my Durable Power of Attorney?

Full question:

I have named my wife as my "true lawful attorney" in my Durable Power of Attorney. Should I name an alternate in case she is unable to act in this capacity? If so, how?

Answer:

Yes, it's wise to name an alternate agent in your Durable Power of Attorney in case your primary agent cannot act. You can use language like this: "If John Doe ceases to act as my Agent due to death, incapacity, or resignation, I appoint Mary Smith of (street address, city, county, state, zip code) to serve as my Agent." Instead of amending your current document, it's usually clearer to create a new power of attorney with the updated language.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, you can name an alternate power of attorney in your Durable Power of Attorney. This ensures that if your primary agent is unable to act due to reasons like incapacity or death, the alternate can step in. It's recommended to clearly specify the alternate's name and details in the document.