Читать книгу Powers of Attorney - Martin Shenkman - Страница 13

Many consumers cannot afford the costs of hiring an estate planning specialist lawyer. Even if you can afford this recommended option, your children or grandchildren may not be able to. If you are in this category, instead of paying $50 on a legal website for a power of attorney, first investigate what might be available to you free. And bear in mind the old adage is wrong. You don’t always get what you pay for. Free may be better than paying.

Many states create what are referred to as “statutory powers of attorney.” These are standard documents intended to work in that particular state. These forms may be accepted more readily in your state than a more comprehensive Internet form. Why pay for something less effective? Some of the state statutory forms are designed for consumers who may not be able to afford an attorney. Try searching the name of your state and the phrase “statutory power of attorney.” For example, for New York this search will give you the following link: https://www.bethpagefcu.com/~/media/Files/bethpage/forms/Power_of_attorney/New_York_State_POA_Gift_Rider.ashx.

Tip: Regardless of what state you live in, if you are going to use an attorney or Internet legal website, compare the power of attorney you prepare to the New York form. The New York form is extremely comprehensive (most lawyers would say overly comprehensive). This can provide a touchstone to compare what you are getting from a lawyer or an online website.

Caution: Some attorneys will take the statutory form for their state, retype it on their computer, and charge for what is really no more than filling in a form you could get for free. So long as you are getting legal guidance in terms of how to use the form and what modifications may be made to the form, this may still be a valuable exercise. On the other hand, if you are getting little or no additional guidance, you may be paying for no additional benefit.

Before going to a legal website that charges, check free consumer websites. For example, if you face a health challenge, many of the charities that serve those with health challenges have websites chock full of information and often even provide free forms.