Authorizing Child Power of Attorney

There may come in a time in your life where you find yourself temporarily unable to care for your children. While this is a situation you hope never occurs, it is a possibility for all parents. So if you find yourself in a situation where you know that you will not be able to care for your children day-to-day on a temporary basis, then you may want to consider authorizing child power of attorney to ensure they are cared for in your absence.

How Does it Work?

Authorizing child power of attorney means you are temporarily and legally allowing another adult to make decisions for your children. For instance, if you know that you will need to be hospitalized for several weeks out of the state, you can grant this type of authority to another adult to empower them to make decisions on behalf of your children while you’re away.

The thought of giving someone else authority over your children is probably making you wonder exactly what rights and responsibilities they would have. Well, to answer this question more appropriately, we can look at what the temporary guardian would not have rights to. First, they will not be able to decide if your children may be adopted. Secondly, they do not get to determine whether your children can get married. And thirdly, they cannot determine what property your children can sell or give away. However, medical, school and other day-to-day decisions would be made by this person.

How is the Process Implemented?

If you are seriously considering giving another adult child power of attorney, you would simply fill out a standard form (which can be found online) that will initiate this temporary transfer of authority. You must sign the form in front of a notary public then leave it with the adult who will be caring for your children. You must also send copies of this form to anyone who has a vested interested in the children, including school officials, childcare providers, doctors and more.

Once you sign the form and begin the process, it will be valid for up to six months. However, if you want to end the process before the six months is up, you can simply complete a Notice of Revocation of Power of Attorney form and give it to the authorized adult and all others who have a vested interest. And if you want to extend the period beyond six months, you need to fill out a new form at the end of the first six months to start the process over again.

Giving temporary authorization over your children to another person is never an easy prospect, but if you must do so, child power of attorney is the way to go.

Is a power of attorney right for you? Find out.

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