Power of attorney

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Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#1
Just wondering what this is exactly and is it Christian...? To get others to make decisions for you?
Do parents really have this over children?
What about spouses or non family members.

If you are nominated power of attoney by someone what are you responsibilities, can they be abused. What if someone cant make any desicions and is always doubleminded about things will they just eventually die intestate and the govt gets everything they leave behind? Though people die unexpectedly every day I suppose.

Is it important to have a will even if you dont own anything, like if anything should happen what would your legacy be?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,237
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#2
Just wondering what this is exactly and is it Christian...? To get others to make decisions for you?
Do parents really have this over children?
What about spouses or non family members.

If you are nominated power of attoney by someone what are you responsibilities, can they be abused. What if someone cant make any desicions and is always doubleminded about things will they just eventually die intestate and the govt gets everything they leave behind? Though people die unexpectedly every day I suppose.

Is it important to have a will even if you dont own anything, like if anything should happen what would your legacy be?
To the first paragraph, I immediately go to the following question. "Does our Heavenly Father have the right to make decisions for us?

The rest of the qquestion seems superfluous, but maybe it will pique the imagination or intellect of another.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Tennessee
#3
Jesus, while dying on the cross told John to take care of his mother. That sounds very much like power of attorney.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#4
To the first paragraph, I immediately go to the following question. "Does our Heavenly Father have the right to make decisions for us?

The rest of the qquestion seems superfluous, but maybe it will pique the imagination or intellect of another.
well yes He's God
but power of attorney is giving a man (or woman) the power to make decisions on your behalf and they are not God. So how do you really know that someone will have your best interests at heart.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#5
Jesus, while dying on the cross told John to take care of his mother. That sounds very much like power of attorney.
is it kind of the same as guardianship for children?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#6
I notice that it was Jesus who nominated John to look after his mum...Mary did not nominate John herself. Although she could have asked Jesus beforehand can John look after me when you go and then Jesus asked John or told John to.
And John could have offered or he could have said no I suppose. But maybe there was nobody else.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#7
Mary did have other children but they were not given that responsibility.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#8
well yes He's God
but power of attorney is giving a man (or woman) the power to make decisions on your behalf and they are not God. So how do you really know that someone will have your best interests at heart.
You simply do not. However it is comforting to hope it is intended for our own good. I know looking back, my Dad would tll me to do as he said, and in later life I realized early that it was always out of love. But it sure bugged me...but then that is the way kids can be, especially us ornery ones.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,943
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#9
Just wondering what this is exactly and is it Christian...? To get others to make decisions for you?
Do parents really have this over children?
What about spouses or non family members.

If you are nominated power of attoney by someone what are you responsibilities, can they be abused. What if someone cant make any desicions and is always doubleminded about things will they just eventually die intestate and the govt gets everything they leave behind? Though people die unexpectedly every day I suppose.

Is it important to have a will even if you dont own anything, like if anything should happen what would your legacy be?
My grandmother is no longer mentally able to make important decisions for herself.

Power of attorney is definitely necessary. She would be sunk by now if her children did not have the legal right to make decisions for her.
 

VineyardsOfEngedi

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2019
872
292
63
#10
well yes He's God
but power of attorney is giving a man (or woman) the power to make decisions on your behalf and they are not God. So how do you really know that someone will have your best interests at heart.
So, where I work, I have seen individuals appoint x person to be their power of attorney and have not exercised their best interest. In fact, they have access to the money and misuse the funds. Unfortunately, this happens mostly to elderly individuals without family members to look after them and some cases own family members abuse the situation. When an individual appoints x person power of attorney, they specify what x person would have power over. Some cases its limited other cases when individual is unaware or doesn't understand the complexity of what power of attorney entails, they essentially give their rights away (financial, property, medical etc) until they are rescinded or revoked by which that individual would need to provide new documents to every institution, agency, company that were notified of whoever was power of attorney.

There is more than one type of power of attorney such as medical (which also specifies DNR orders), durable, general etc. Personally, I think that it's appropriate and responsible to have in place to avoid technicalities should the need arise, especially in medical situations. Although, I do not condone conventional medicine, o well. The individual appointing anyone should be cautious of whom they appoint. It is a shame humanity can't be loyal ensuring someone else's wellbeing.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#11
So, where I work, I have seen individuals appoint x person to be their power of attorney and have not exercised their best interest. In fact, they have access to the money and misuse the funds. Unfortunately, this happens mostly to elderly individuals without family members to look after them and some cases own family members abuse the situation. When an individual appoints x person power of attorney, they specify what x person would have power over. Some cases its limited other cases when individual is unaware or doesn't understand the complexity of what power of attorney entails, they essentially give their rights away (financial, property, medical etc) until they are rescinded or revoked by which that individual would need to provide new documents to every institution, agency, company that were notified of whoever was power of attorney.

There is more than one type of power of attorney such as medical (which also specifies DNR orders), durable, general etc. Personally, I think that it's appropriate and responsible to have in place to avoid technicalities should the need arise, especially in medical situations. Although, I do not condone conventional medicine, o well. The individual appointing anyone should be cautious of whom they appoint. It is a shame humanity can't be loyal ensuring someone else's wellbeing.
When thinking about power of attorney I kind of find it problematic.

Its kind of like how you need consent these days but much of it isnt INFORMED consent.

While its all good to trust someone, not everyone is trustworthy.
DNR doesnt seem to me power of attorney though. I would say something like asking for euthansia is. (assisted suicide) but then, what would it take just to inject yourself with poison you wouldnt need anyones help, and you wont make them guilty of killing you.

Im not sure I would actually like to be someones power of attorney ...it would be a bit too much like cleaning up someone elses mess. Already do that for children but you do actually want them to grow up and not be dependent on you. EVen if someones disabled you still while caring for them want them to be able to make their own choices. You might not agree with someone elses choice but its theirs to make.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,225
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#12
Just wondering what this is exactly and is it Christian...? To get others to make decisions for you?

a Power of Attorney is a Legal Document that appoints someone to represent a person who is either not physically or mentally able to represent themselves; or is too young in the eyes of the Courts to do so.

If you are nominated power of attoney by someone what are you responsibilities, can they be abused. What if someone cant make any desicions and is always doubleminded about things will they just eventually die intestate and the govt gets everything they leave behind? Though people die unexpectedly every day I suppose.

The person appointed is responsible for conducting Legal Affairs for the person they represent. This includes (but not limited to) Financial and Medical decisions that need to be made. As with any other such Appointment, a Power of Attorney can be abused, but, in this case, the Courts oversee the decisions being made, so abuse is not that common. It is important for a person to judge carefully who they wish to appoint as their Power of Attorney, to avoid the issues you mention.

Without a Legally filed Will, the Estate of ther deceased person does indeed become a PURE MESS. And, yes, for the most part, the Courts are left to determine what and how and to whom the deceased persons possessions will be distributed. It will most always take a very long time, and IMO, any responsible individual should prepare a Will!

Is it important to have a will even if you dont own anything, like if anything should happen what would your legacy be?

You would be surprised what you/someone owns. Clothes, jewlery, electronics, automobiles, Burrial Insurance, Life Insurance, Nic Nacs, dishes, silverware, glasses, cups, saucers............well, you get the picture. When one sets down to consider what they actually "own," they are generally surprised at how long the "list" becomes.

I strongly suggest that EVERYONE prepare a Will!

Blank Copies of Wills can be found on the Internet. One can copy the Blank Form, fill it in, and take it to a Law Firm/Lawyer to Witness and Noterize it. They will give you a copy, and retain one in their Files in case of any disputations that might arise. As well, if you desire, you can give the person you appoint to have Power of Attorney for you a copy, but this does not have to be done until after you pass on. Just be sure everyone knows where you keep your copy of the Will.

When you pass, the person appointed will have to go to the Courthouse to file the Will and receive Legal Approval to act as your Power of Attorney.


(useful link)

Power of Attorney - American Bar Association
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#13
hmm what about single people with no children should they make wills?

I suppose I could make a will and get it signed or witnessed by a justice of the peace in my country.

Can Jesus be my (spiritual) power of attorney?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#14
books....fridge libraries
car...I'd give to my cousins who needs one or maybe church as its one that can transport things, surely they could use it to give rides to ppl etc
clothes....salvation army
nic nacs...school
electronics...school

I dont have much jewelry but any of that would go to my sister or female cousins
I dont have any dishes or silverware of any note...they are all shared by the family
my glasses...since they are my prescriptions not sure anyone would wear them but I would give them to the library as decoration
papers...city or local library archives

although I do intend to live a long life to satisfy Him and show Him my salvation.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#15
I wasnt really thinking of myself but when starting this thread it was something I read on a rest home website when visiting a friend who'd checked herself into one.

People dont really want to go to hospital (even things like a mental hospital) but its better when you decide to go rather then someone else has to make that difficult choice for you...!
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,225
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#16
books....fridge libraries
car...I'd give to my cousins who needs one or maybe church as its one that can transport things, surely they could use it to give rides to ppl etc
clothes....salvation army
nic nacs...school
electronics...school

I dont have much jewelry but any of that would go to my sister or female cousins
I dont have any dishes or silverware of any note...they are all shared by the family
my glasses...since they are my prescriptions not sure anyone would wear them but I would give them to the library as decoration
papers...city or local library archives

although I do intend to live a long life to satisfy Him and show Him my salvation.
Everything you mentioned here, and what you want done with them can only be done through your stating all this in Legal Form. That means a Will. Wills are not complicated for most people.

You would be surprised what will transpire if you pass on without your wishes being known in Legal Form. I have seen families torn apart over the simplest of things a person left behind without stating what they wanted to do with it, and who to get it.

When I did my Will, it took me about 15 minutes to print the Form, and then I sat down and gave thought to what I have and how I wanted it dispensed with. Once that was done (about an hour), I found a local Attorney who Notarized my Will.

I was fortunate that he does not charge Vetrens for this service. Usually, the cost is between Fifty and One Hundred Dollars. It is well worth the small effort!!!
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,225
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#17
I wasnt really thinking of myself but when starting this thread it was something I read on a rest home website when visiting a friend who'd checked herself into one.

People dont really want to go to hospital (even things like a mental hospital) but its better when you decide to go rather then someone else has to make that difficult choice for you...!
Part of a "Living Will" is your wishes concerning your medical treatment. I have a do not resuscitate clause in my Will. You can state other things you would want also. Types of treatment, Organ Doner, and such as that
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#18
oh havent really thought aboout organ donation... I do know my blood is AB and not that great for donation so probably my organs wouldnt be good for anyone

I do wish my body to be buried though...in a garden if not my own. In nz soil. And plants grown around me.

Yesterday my family buried a pet chicken, we found her gone to sleep forever in her coop. no we didnt eat her, or stuff her... or burn her ...shes now next to her sister in the garden.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#19
$50 - $100 seems reasonable but I wonder how much it is for non veteran and is it so costly that many people dont do it.

I know from being involved in a family trust (as beneficiary) that lawyers are very expensive. Also the executor has a lot of power and can often not bother taking other people in the family wishes into account. By just not asking them or informing them of matters.

Jesus made known his last wishes (now the basis for the Lords Supper) but dont know how back in the day he made it all 'legal'. Since Jesus didnt have a good relationship with lawyers of his day! Gamblers took his clothes but Joseph of arithmea begged his body...I dont know if Jesus knew him and asked him beforehand to take it.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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#20
$50 - $100 seems reasonable but I wonder how much it is for non veteran and is it so costly that many people dont do it.
that is for people........veterans get it free