Can I Have More than One Agent or Power of Attorney?

Can I Have More than One Agent or Power of Attorney?

Yes, you can have more than one agent.  This can result from your power of attorney naming more than one agent or you giving more than one power of attorney.  For example, you might want to appoint an agent with financial experience to make business decisions for you; and a different agent with medical knowledge to make health care decisions for you.  If you have more than one agent, they are called co-agents.

Unless your power of attorney says otherwise, your co-agents can act independently for you without the knowledge or consent of the other co-agents.

Your co-agents can have completely different authority, the exact same authority or authority that is not identical, but overlaps.  Before you give your co-agents identical or overlapping authority, you should consider the consequences if your co-agents disagree.  Avoid the temptation to require your co-agents to agree on all matters.  Instead, provide a clear method in the power of attorney for how such disagreements will be resolved.  For example, if you make more than one child your co-agent to make home care decisions for you, you should provide for how that decision will be made if they disagree.  Otherwise, the disagreement may generate a family feud and law suits.  For advice on how to resolve disagreements between co-agents, contact Thomas T. Tornow, P.C. at http://www.tornowlaw.com.

Thomas T. Tornow, P.C.

By: Thomas T. Tornow

This post is exclusively for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. Viewing this post, using information from it, or communicating through this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. Thomas T. Tornow, P.C. is not liable for the use or interpretation of information on this blog and expressly disclaims all liability for any actions you may or may not take based on the content of this blog.