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New Jersey elder law: Revoking a power of attorney

On Behalf of | Sep 19, 2017 | Elder Law |

Picking a person who is responsible for making important decisions for you can be difficult to do. You always hope that the individual chosen will make those decisions with your best interests in mind. Unfortunately, this does not always happen,  and it can leave you and your loved ones in a tough spot. Thankfully, once granted, powers of attorney may be revoked or changed with the assistance of a New Jersey elder law attorney.

It is sad that a person assigned powers of attorney would misuse the power granted, but it happens more than anyone would like to think. Legally, the agent is bound to act in the best interests of the principal. If this is not happening, the principal or any other parties who are concerned may report any suspected abuse, seek legal counsel in order to terminate the agent’s authority and name someone else in a new power of attorney document.

In order for the principal to make the change, he or she still needs to be mentally capable of making decisions for him or herself. If a person has been deemed incapacitated, it is typically up to other family members to step in and try and make the change. To learn more about how to do this, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.

Powers of attorney are meant to provide a sense of peace. It is a way for the principal to protect him or herself. If it is believed that the agent is abusing his or her power, you can do something about it. An elder law attorney can assist those in New Jersey with such concerns in taking the steps necessary to seek the revocation of the current POA in place.