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A power of attorney (POA) is an important legal tool in which you allow someone else to make important decisions on your behalf. This free Wyoming power of attorney form template is customizable and allows someone else (typically called an “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”) to make financial decisions for you. Download the form below.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document where one person, referred to as the principal, gives another person, known as the “attorney-in-fact,” authority to make decisions for them. The attorney-in-fact doesn’t need to be an actual attorney, but it should be someone the principal trusts to make important choices on their behalf.
Powers of attorney can be “durable,” which means they are still in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to make decisions. A durable power of attorney will typically remain in force until the principal’s death. A general power of attorney that is not durable is no longer effective if the principal becomes incapacitated.
In most states, a power of attorney must be notarized to be effective.
Who Should Use a Power of Attorney Form?
Anyone who wishes to allow another person to make certain financial, healthcare or other decisions on their behalf should strongly consider a power of attorney. They can be an especially useful estate planning tool to protect your wealth in the event that you’re no longer able to manage your finances.
How to Create a Power of Attorney in Wyoming
There are a few requirements needed to draft a Wyoming power of attorney. If you have any doubts, be sure to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney in your state. The requirements typically are that:
- The principal is of sound mind and can make decisions for themselves
- There is an actual written document
- The document includes the name of the attorney-in-fact, their powers and duties, and the principal’s signature, properly notarized.
Store the original in a safe place and regularly recheck your power of attorney as circumstances change. You may also want to consider sending copies of your signed power of attorney to your attorney-in-fact, financial institution and important family members.
Types of Powers of Attorney
Principals can choose from several types of powers of attorney. But, generally speaking, there are two different categories of powers of attorney, which include:
- those based on mental soundness and capacity
- those based on the scope of what they do and don’t cover
Capacity-Based Powers of Attorney
Protecting assets if someone becomes incapacitated is one of the main reasons for creating powers of attorney. That’s why many POAs are designed based on the capacity of the principal.
- Durable Power of Attorney. Here, the principal intends for the authority granted to the agent to continue even after they become incapacitated. Durability is presumed in Wyoming, which means a POA automatically remains effective if the principal becomes incapacitated or disabled unless there is express language to indicate that the powers are to end upon the incapacity of the principal.
- General Power of Attorney. A general (or “non-durable”) power of attorney can only be created when the principal is competent. If the principal becomes incapacitated, the POA is no longer effective.
- Springing Power of Attorney. Here, the POA only takes effect if the principal becomes disabled or incapacitated. It’s also sometimes called a “standby” power of attorney.
Scope-Based Powers of Attorney
These powers of attorney are confined to a specific task or situation. They can be as narrow as a POA to sell a specific piece of property or asset. They can also be as broad as granting the agent the power to act in all financial matters for the principal.
The medical power of attorney is perhaps the best-known scope-based power of attorney. This document grants the agent the power to make medical decisions on behalf of the principal. Typically, this is when principals cannot make those decisions themselves.
Who Can Be an Attorney-In-Fact?
Nearly anyone can serve as an attorney-in-fact. They do not need to be an actual attorney. They do, however, need to be a legal adult and not otherwise incapacitated.
Ensure that the attorney-in-fact is someone you trust. Note that principals may also select backup attorneys-in-fact, in case the primary is unreachable.
What Are the Signing Requirements for a Power of Attorney Form in Wyoming?
Signing requirements for a power of attorney differ across states. When you consider the broad powers a POA can grant, the strict requirements make sense. In Wyoming, for example, the principal is required to sign the POA in the presence of a notary public or other person who is authorized to take acknowledgements in the state.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Power of Attorney in Wyoming?
You don’t need a lawyer to create a power of attorney in Wyoming. However, you should seek the help of a trusted attorney to finalize your document to ensure it’s legally sound and that it confers the right authority to the right person at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need a lawyer to get a power of attorney?
While it’s usually a good idea to consult with a lawyer before you become bound by a POA, you don’t need an attorney to get one. As long as the document complies with all the requirements of Wyoming, a lawyer isn’t necessary to create a binding power of attorney.
How do you take power of attorney away from someone?
Anyone besides the principal or their guardian can only take away power of attorney by petitioning the court to intervene. As the principal—or the principal’s legally-appointed guardian or conservator—you can revoke a POA at any time, as long as you are of sound mind. A revocation must be in writing and clearly state the intention to revoke the power of attorney.
Does an attorney-in-fact need to accept their appointment under a POA?
Yes, but a formal acceptance is not required. Under Wisconsin law, a person can accept their appointment as an agent under a power of attorney simply by exercising their authority as an agent or by any other conduct that indicates acceptance. However, it is always a good practice to list alternate attorneys-in-fact in your POA in the event that the person you initially designated is unwilling or unable to act under the POA.
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