New Article-Preventing DPOA Abuses

The May 2016 issue of the South Carolina Bar Journal, SC Lawyer contains the article, Quick and Dirty Tips to Prevent Power of Attorney Abuse.  The author offers several tips, starting with meeting with the client alone, determine if the client has capacity to sign the DPOA, ascertain the client’s goals and expectations, “name an honest, trustworthy and trusted agent” (the author suggests the attorney “[google the agent and check your local court judgment index”); consider co-agents; use a springing POA; include an accounting provision to require the agent “to account in some fashion to a family member(s) or other trusted individual. It can be as formal or as informal as the principal desires. In that way there is another person informed about the principal’s financial situation” and even using a “cooling off” period for the client to think further before signing the DPOA.

The article also covers actions when the agent misuses the DPOA. The article concludes

There is no easy answer to the problem of elder financial abuse. There is no silver bullet. Elder financial abuse is a problem that is only going to get worse. We as attorneys can’t prevent all financial abuse, but we need to be aware of, and adopt, measures that reduce the risk of durable power of attorney abuse. The threat can never be eliminated, but with communication and education, it can be minimized.

Thanks to the article’s author, Michael J. Polk, for sending me the link to the article.