True about the potential difficulties of multiple POAs. Ensure they can work together harmoniously. My sister and I were on the same page on nearly everything regarding our parents, even years before we realized the need for a formal POA. On the rare occasions we didn't agree, I deferred to her on medical matters and she deferred to me on financials ones. Worked very well for us.
When I was arranging my affairs, the lawyer I used did not recommend having a POA document where each of two people have to be in complete agreement on decisions. He said it leads to many problems.
What if one person is away? What if they cannot come to an agreement?
My POA and my Mum's POA documents (for finances and healthcare) both list a primary and secondary POA, if the first cannot act.
A person can decide to give power of attorney to as many people as s/he pleases; and the person can stipulate whether the POAs are to act jointly, when none of them can do anything without the agreement of the other(s); or "jointly and severally," when they can act individually, but (usually) must inform the other(s) of their actions.
The advantage is that if one POA is busy, or missing, or abroad, or having a baby - whatever - the other can continue to run matters without interruption.
But. It... how can I put it. It often doesn't work quite as beautifully and harmoniously as fond elders imagine it will. Rather than share out the workload, for example, it can lead to hours of wrangling and horrible disputes.
Is someone you know finding it hard to make a decision about whom to appoint?
Joint POA can be a huge p.i.t.a because besides forcing them to reach a consensus it will mean both of them must always be available to deal with every single document that requires a signature - unless the chosen POAs both live close to each other and the grantor then I would look seriously at choosing a different option.
And what if they disagree? I have seen A, then B if A cannot or will not handle. Would consult attorney. I might ask if it can say that A must give information to B
My sister and I shared POA for our parents. In our case the wording indicated each of us could act separately. You should use a legal professional to draw it up.
What if one person is away?
What if they cannot come to an agreement?
My POA and my Mum's POA documents (for finances and healthcare) both list a primary and secondary POA, if the first cannot act.
A person can decide to give power of attorney to as many people as s/he pleases; and the person can stipulate whether the POAs are to act jointly, when none of them can do anything without the agreement of the other(s); or "jointly and severally," when they can act individually, but (usually) must inform the other(s) of their actions.
The advantage is that if one POA is busy, or missing, or abroad, or having a baby - whatever - the other can continue to run matters without interruption.
But. It... how can I put it. It often doesn't work quite as beautifully and harmoniously as fond elders imagine it will. Rather than share out the workload, for example, it can lead to hours of wrangling and horrible disputes.
Is someone you know finding it hard to make a decision about whom to appoint?