Having a POA via an attorney is a a good thing especially if the family dynamics are such that they resent the parent's choice of POA. Happened with my husband and one of his siblings. The attorney was able to talk to her to make sure she could clearly articulate who she wanted as POA and why. With a list of assets, the lawyer was able to provide and customize a POA. It was also notarized where the notary is obligated to make sure she understood the purpose of what she was signing and that she wasn't under duress to sign it. Be aware that banks and investment companies want their own POA forms completed. So in the case of my MIL, she has three separate sets of POA paperwork.

My sibling filled a poa out and my mom has dementia and her poa was supposely witnessed and signed and notorized mom dont ever recall signing one. Isnt the form supposed to be filed with the court and its in texas

Why go to the expense of buying what is available free?

Independently wealthy, such as billionaires, please ignore this advice.

:)

For those of us without DPOA - get one ASAP anywhere & however you can. It MUST be notarized or witnessed by a third party. You must sign to accept the Durable Power of Attorney yourself.
Understand that without an attorney it will be incomplete, incomplete, incomplete! Your powers will be limited to that which is listed.
The DPOA can be updated at a later date by an attorney and properly worded.

OntoaByrd,
Check on your State sites, to find a POA form for your State.
That might be something like on the State Attorney General Site?
OR, find your nearest Area Agency on Aging. I think every County has one or more offices. They usually have free legal volunteers come in at least once a month, who offer 1/2 free consults for senior issues.

I am looking to inquire a POA for my mother ASAP, however it is not in the budget at this time to seek an attorney. What are my other options and if I get an online POA what site has the best for seniors in Va?

Invariably, the online forms differ, sometimes substantively from those required by the location you are in, or for the purpose you want it for.
I was faced with a nearly totally blank generic form, once, and had a devil of a time filling it out properly, because there were no examples to follow.
Online forms could compromise your case, if they were ever actually put to the test in your location by legal entities.

You do not have to BUY a POA form.

States have their sites where they can be downloaded free, gratis, and for nothing.

Keep your money. You're going to need it.

Here's a PDF brochure from the Alzheimer's Association that describes/discusses legal planning and documents for the care of persons with AD/dementia. It includes discussions on POAs and guardianships.
http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_legalplans.pdf

SueNJ1 have you tried to use the paperwork at a Financial Institution? My experience is that utility companies and entities who are not held to high government regulations will often accept the downloadable forms, but if someone has any amount of assets with a financial institution will only accept a POA that is written exactly to the state law. POA laws change as well. In some instances you can use these documents but my experience supports that is is best to involve an attorney.

I purchased a packed of assorted POA forms at Staples. It clearly explained what each form was for. I filled them out with the help of my mom's case manager while my mom was in the hospital, and then my mom signed in (she does not have alzheimers) along with some members of hospital staff and notarized there, after the case manager explained to my mom what she was signing. It our case it has worked well at very little cost.

POA's are also state specific...although many states will accept one from another state without a problem. After being in estate planning for 25 years...have seen some pretty poor documents from attorneys too! It is important to find a qualified attorney to create your document....one that derives most of their income from estate planning. Not an ambulance chacer who does it on the side. Someone who gives counsel and not an order taker.