West Sacramento, CA asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Health Care Law for California

Q: Can a power of attorney be legally signed after one has a signed document from a dr. Deeming one imcompetent?

1 Lawyer Answer
Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
Answered
  • Jess Ranch, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: The power of attorney form can be signed but it may not be effective if in fact the person signing the power of attorney has been previously declared incompetent. In order to sign a power of attorney form, the person must be able to declare that they are of sound mind and are competent to sign the document. To sign a power of attorney under such circumstances would likely be either fraudulent or even a crime of perjury, and could involve anyone who assists the incompetent in complicity with the fraud or perjury. So I would be very careful about encouraging anyone from doing anything of this nature.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.