Texas Durable Power of Attorney

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SAMPLE TEXAS DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM

THE POWERS YOU GRANT BELOW ARE EFFECTIVE EVEN IF YOU BECOME DISABLED OR INCOMPETENT.

NOTICE: THE POWERS GRANTED BY THIS DOCUMENT ARE BROAD AND SWEEPING. THEY ARE EXPLAINED IN THE UNIFORM STATUTORY FORM POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE POWERS, OBTAIN COMPETENT LEGAL ADVICE. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANYONE TO MAKE MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH-CARE DECISIONS FOR YOU. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY IF YOU LATER WISH TO DO SO.

 

I, _________________________________________ [insert your name and address] appoint _____________________________________________ [insert the name and address of the person appointed] as my Agent (attorney-in-fact) to act for me in any lawful way with respect to the following initialed subjects:

TO GRANT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING POWERS, INITIAL THE LINE IN FRONT OF (N) AND IGNORE THE LINES IN FRONT OF THE OTHER POWERS.

TO GRANT ONE OR MORE, BUT FEWER THAN ALL, OF THE FOLLOWING POWERS, INITIAL THE LINE IN FRONT OF EACH POWER YOU ARE GRANTING.

TO WITHHOLD A POWER, DO NOT INITIAL THE LINE IN FRONT OF IT. YOU MAY, BUT NEED NOT, CROSS OUT EACH POWER WITHHELD.

Note: If you initial Item A or Item B, which follow, a notarized signature will be required on behalf of the Principal.

 

INITIAL

 

_______ (A) Real property transactions. To lease, sell, mortgage, purchase, exchange, and acquire, and to agree, bargain, and contract for the lease, sale, purchase, exchange, and acquisition of, and to accept, take, receive, and possess any interest in real property whatsoever, on such terms and conditions, and under such covenants, as my Agent shall deem proper; and to maintain, repair, tear down, alter, rebuild, improve manage, insure, move, rent, lease, sell, convey, subject to liens, mortgages, and security deeds, and in any way or manner deal with all or any part of any interest in real property whatsoever, including specifically, but without limitation, real property lying and being situated in the State of Texas, under such terms and conditions, and under such covenants, as my Agent shall deem proper and may for all deferred payments accept purchase money notes payable to me and secured by mortgages or deeds to secure debt, and may from time to time collect and cancel any of said notes, mortgages, security interests, or deeds to secure debt.

_______ (B) Tangible personal property transactions. To lease, sell, mortgage, purchase, exchange, and acquire, and to agree, bargain, and contract for the lease, sale, purchase, exchange, and acquisition of, and to accept, take, receive, and possess any personal property whatsoever, tangible or intangible, or interest thereto, on such terms and conditions, and under such covenants, as my Agent shall deem proper; and to maintain, repair, improve, manage, insure, rent, lease, sell, convey, subject to liens or mortgages, or to take any other security interests in said property which are recognized under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted at that time under the laws of the State of Texas or any applicable state, or otherwise hypothecate (pledge), and in any way or manner deal with all or any part of any real or personal property whatsoever, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, that I own at the time of execution or may thereafter acquire, under such terms and conditions, and under such covenants, as my Agent shall deem proper.

_______ (C) Stock and bond transactions. To purchase, sell, exchange, surrender, assign, redeem, vote at any meeting, or otherwise transfer any and all shares of stock, bonds, or other securities in any business, association, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, whether private or public, now or hereafter belonging to me.

_______ (D) Commodity and option transactions. To buy, sell, exchange, assign, convey, settle and exercise commodities futures contracts and call and put options on stocks and stock indices traded on a regulated options exchange and collect and receipt for all proceeds of any such transactions; establish or continue option accounts for the principal with any securities or futures broker; and, in general, exercise all powers with respect to commodities and options which the principal could if present and under no disability.

_______ (E) Banking and other financial institution transactions. To make, receive, sign, endorse, execute, acknowledge, deliver and possess checks, drafts, bills of exchange, letters of credit, notes, stock certificates, withdrawal receipts and deposit instruments relating to accounts or deposits in, or certificates of deposit of banks, savings and loans, credit unions, or other institutions or associations. To pay all sums of money, at any time or times, that may hereafter be owing by me upon any account, bill of exchange, check, draft, purchase, contract, note, or trade acceptance made, executed, endorsed, accepted, and delivered by me or for me in my name, by my Agent. To borrow from time to time such sums of money as my Agent may deem proper and execute promissory notes, security deeds or agreements, financing statements, or other security instruments in such form as the lender may request and renew said notes and security instruments from time to time in whole or in part. To have free access at any time or times to any safe deposit box or vault to which I might have access.

_______ (F) Business operating transactions. To conduct, engage in, and otherwise transact the affairs of any and all lawful business ventures of whatever nature or kind that I may now or hereafter be involved in. To organize or continue and conduct any business which term includes, without limitation, any farming, manufacturing, service, mining, retailing or other type of business operation in any form, whether as a proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, trust or other legal entity; operate, buy, sell, expand, contract, terminate or liquidate any business; direct, control, supervise, manage or participate in the operation of any business and engage, compensate and discharge business managers, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants and consultants; and, in general, exercise all powers with respect to business interests and operations which the principal could if present and under no disability.

_______ (G) Insurance and annuity transactions. To exercise or perform any act, power, duty, right, or obligation, in regard to any contract of life, accident, health, disability, liability, or other type of insurance or any combination of insurance; and to procure new or additional contracts of insurance for me and to designate the beneficiary of same; provided, however, that my Agent cannot designate himself or herself as beneficiary of any such insurance contracts.

_______ (H) Estate, trust, and other beneficiary transactions. To accept, receipt for, exercise, release, reject, renounce, assign, disclaim, demand, sue for, claim and recover any legacy, bequest, devise, gift or other property interest or payment due or payable to or for the principal; assert any interest in and exercise any power over any trust, estate or property subject to fiduciary control; establish a revocable trust solely for the benefit of the principal that terminates at the death of the principal and is then distributable to the legal representative of the estate of the principal; and, in general, exercise all powers with respect to estates and trusts which the principal could exercise if present and under no disability; provided, however, that the Agent may not make or change a will and may not revoke or amend a trust revocable or amendable by the principal or require the trustee of any trust for the benefit of the principal to pay income or principal to the Agent unless specific authority to that end is given.

_______ (I) Claims and litigation. To commence, prosecute, discontinue, or defend all actions or other legal proceedings touching my property, real or personal, or any part thereof, or touching any matter in which I or my property, real or personal, may be in any way concerned. To defend, settle, adjust, make allowances, compound, submit to arbitration, and compromise all accounts, reckonings, claims, and demands whatsoever that now are, or hereafter shall be, pending between me and any person, firm,corporation, or other legal entity, in such manner and in all respects as my Agent shall deem proper.

_______ (J) Personal and family maintenance. To hire accountants, attorneys at law, consultants, clerks, physicians, nurses, agents, servants, workmen, and others and to remove them, and to appoint others in their place, and to pay and allow the persons so employed such salaries, wages, or other remunerations, as my Agent shall deem proper.

_______ (K) Benefits from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or other governmental programs, or military service. To prepare, sign and file any claim or application for Social Security, unemployment or military service benefits; sue for, settle or abandon any claims to any benefit or assistance under any federal, state, local or foreign statute or regulation; control, deposit to any account, collect, receipt for, and take title to and hold all benefits under any Social Security, unemployment, military service or other state, federal, local or foreign statute or regulation; and, in general, exercise all powers with respect to Social Security, unemployment, military service, and governmental benefits, including but not limited to Medicare and Medicaid, which the principal could exercise if present and under no disability.

_______ (L) Retirement plan transactions. To contribute to, withdraw from and deposit funds in any type of retirement plan (which term includes, without limitation, any tax qualified or nonqualified pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, employee savings and other retirement plan, individual retirement account, deferred compensation plan and any other type of employee benefit plan); select and change payment options for the principal under any retirement plan; make rollover contributions from any retirement plan to other retirement plans or individual retirement accounts; exercise all investment powers available under any type of self-directed retirement plan; and, in general, exercise all powers with respect to retirement plans and retirement plan account balances which the principal could if present and under no disability.

_______ (M) Tax matters. To prepare, to make elections, to execute and to file all tax, social security, unemployment insurance, and informational returns required by the laws of the United States, or of any state or subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government; to prepare, to execute, and to file all other papers and instruments which the Agent shall think to be desirable or necessary for safeguarding of me against excess or illegal taxation or against penalties imposed for claimed violation of any law or other governmental regulation; and to pay, to compromise, or to contest or to apply for refunds in connection with any taxes or assessments for which I am or may be liable.

_______ (N) ALL OF THE POWERS LISTED ABOVE. YOU NEED NOT INITIAL ANY OTHER LINES IF YOU INITIAL LINE (N).

 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

ON THE FOLLOWING LINES YOU MAY GIVE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS LIMITING OR EXTENDING THE POWERS GRANTED TO YOUR AGENT.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL IT IS REVOKED.

THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SHALL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE EVEN IF I BECOME DISABLED, INCAPACITATED, OR INCOMPETENT.

(YOUR AGENT WILL HAVE AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY OTHER PERSONS AS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE AGENT TO PROPERLY EXERCISE THE POWERS GRANTED IN THIS FORM, BUT YOUR AGENT WILL HAVE TO MAKE ALL DISCRETIONARY DECISIONS. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR AGENT THE

RIGHT TO DELEGATE DISCRETIONARY DECISION-MAKING POWERS TO OTHERS, YOU SHOULD KEEP THE NEXT SENTENCE, OTHERWISE IT SHOULD BE STRICKEN.)

Authority to Delegate. My Agent shall have the right by written instrument to delegate any or all of the foregoing powers involving discretionary decision-making to any person or persons whom my Agent may select, but such delegation may be amended or revoked by any agent (including any successor) named by me who is acting under this power of attorney at the time of reference.

(YOUR AGENT WILL BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED IN ACTING UNDER THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY. STRIKE OUT THE NEXT SENTENCE IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR AGENT TO ALSO BE ENTITLED TO REASONABLE COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES AS AGENT.)

Right to Compensation. My Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for services rendered as agent under this durable power of attorney.

(IF YOU WISH TO NAME SUCCESSOR AGENTS, INSERT THE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF SUCH SUCCESSOR(S) IN THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH.)

Successor Agent. If any Agent named by me shall die, become incompetent, resign or refuse to accept the office of Agent, I name the following (each to act alone and successively, in the order named) as successor(s) to such Agent:

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Choice of Law. THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT REGARD FOR CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES. IT WAS EXECUTED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND IS INTENDED TO BE VALID IN ALL JURISDICTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALL FOREIGN NATIONS.

I am fully informed as to all the contents of this form and understand the full import of this grant of powers to my Agent.

I agree that any third party who receives a copy of this document may act under it. Revocation of the power of attorney is not effective as to a third party until the third party learns of the revocation. I agree to indemnify the third party for any claims that arise against the third party because of reliance on this power of attorney.

 

Signed this _______ day of _______________, 20____

______________________________

[Your Signature]

 

CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NOTARY PUBLIC

STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF ________________

 

This document was acknowledged before me on _______________ [Date] by

________________________________________________ [name of principal].

[Notary Seal, if any]:


 

_______________________________

(Signature of Notarial Officer)

Notary Public for the State of Texas

 

My commission expires: ___________________

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AGENT

BY ACCEPTING OR ACTING UNDER THE APPOINTMENT, THE AGENT ASSUMES THE FIDUCIARY AND OTHER LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN AGENT.

 

________________________________________________

[Typed or Printed Name of Agent]

 

________________________________________________

[Signature of Agent]



 

PREPARATION STATEMENT

This document was prepared by the following individual:

 

________________________________________________

[Typed or Printed Name]

 

Any [GREEN] highlighted language is intended to be filled in by the user. Any [YELLOW] highlighted language is considered optional or conditional by the attorney community. Consult with an attorney before using this document. This document is not a substitute for legal advice or services. Refer to our Terms of Use for more details.

This form has been prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, advertising, a solicitation, or tax advice. Transmission of this form and the information contained herein is not intended to create, and receipt thereof does not constitute formation of, an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely upon this document or information for any purpose without seeking legal advice from an appropriately licensed attorney, including without limitation to review and provide advice on the terms of this form, the appropriate approvals required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this form, and any securities law and other legal issues contemplated by this form or the transactions contemplated by this form.

Texas Durable Power of Attorney: What Is It?

A Texas durable power of attorney is a formal document that creates a relationship between a person granting authority, known as the principal, and a person to whom authority is granted, known as the agent or the attorney in fact. The principal gives permission for the agent to conduct business, make financial decisions, and go into legal transactions on his or her behalf. It is called durable because it does not end if the principal becomes disabled or incapacitated.

A financial power of attorney is the same as a statutory durable power of attorney. It gives the agent power that is related only to the principal's personal and financial matters. It is up to the principal to decide how much power is given.

What Are the Requirements of a Texas Durable Power of Attorney?

For the document to be legally binding, it must:

  • Be in writing
  • Be signed by an adult
  • Have the name of the agent
  • Specifically explain that the agent's authority will either continue after the principal becomes disabled, or begin when the principal becomes disabled

It does not need to have witnesses, nor does it need to be filed unless the agent is going to be conducting a property transaction. It does, however, need to be signed in front of a notary public.

Why Do I Need a Texas Durable Power of Attorney?

If you become sick or injured in a way that makes you incapable of taking care of your own finances, someone else must step in. By having a Texas durable power of attorney before this happens, you are able to choose the person you feel will best be able to take on these responsibilities. Without this document, your family will have to go to court to fight for the right to take care of your finances.

A durable power of attorney can also give you privacy. If you don't want what you do to be public knowledge, you can have your agent conduct all of your business and financial matters for you. This is used most with people who have a lot of assets.

You may also want a power of attorney for a very specific task. This is called a special power of attorney. This would allow an agent to sign a contract on your behalf. In these situations, you would set a specific date for the contract to be valid and once that date has passed, the agent no longer has power of attorney.

When Does a Texas Durable Power of Attorney Take Effect?

According to what you put in your document, it can either take effect immediately, or it can take effect once you become disabled or incapacitated. If you do not specify that this power of attorney will be durable, then it will become invalid if you fall ill. If you don't want it to take effect until you are already incapacitated, this is called a springing power of attorney.

When Does a Texas Durable Power of Attorney Become Invalid?

Unless you state a specific end date in your contract, there are only a few other ways for this document to become invalid or end.

  • You end it yourself. If you are mentally competent, you can end the contract at any time.
  • You get a divorce. If your spouse was your power of attorney, the contract automatically becomes invalid if you get a divorce.
  • A court invalidates your document. In rare situations, a court may decide that your document is invalid if it believes that you were not mentally competent when you signed it, or that you were in some way wrongly influenced.
  • No agent is available. If something happens to your agent, then the power of attorney becomes invalid. In order to avoid this problem, it is a good idea to name a second agent that will take over in case the first agent is unable.

What Can a Texas Durable Power of Attorney Do?

It is up to you, the principal, to decide what powers you give your agent. The tasks can include:

  • Real property transactions
  • Tangible personal property transactions
  • Stock and bond transactions
  • Commodity and option transactions
  • Banking and other financial institution transactions
  • Business operating transactions
  • Insurance and annuity transactions
  • Estate, trust, and other beneficiary transactions
  • Claims and litigation
  • Personal and family maintenance
  • Benefits from social security
  • Medicare, Medicaid, or other governmental programs or civil or military service
  • Retirement plan transactions
  • Tax matters

Be sure that your document is very specific about what you are authorizing your agent to do.

What Is a Texas Medical Power of Attorney?

A Texas medical power of attorney, sometimes called a Texas durable power of attorney for healthcare, gives an agent the power to make decisions about your health care if you become physically or mentally unable to do so.

Both the principal and the agent need to sign the form in front of a notary for it to be considered valid. You will need to have two witnesses, one being someone other than the agent. It cannot be a relative of the principal or someone involved in any way in the principal's medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need a lawyer to make a Texas durable power of attorney?

You do not need a lawyer in order to make a power of attorney. Simply fill in the blanks on the sample Texas durable power of attorney form and it is valid. However, you may still want a lawyer to help you customize you form.

  • What happens if I have a Texas durable power of attorney and the court appoints a guardian?

If the court appoints a guardian of your estate, the Texas durable power of attorney becomes invalid. If the person named is only a temporary guardian, then the power of attorney is suspended until future notice.

  • Whom should I choose to be my agent?

The person you choose to look after your personal and financial future should be someone you trust with your life. That person will be able to act in your name, as if they were you. You are responsible for anything that your agent does in your name. The person you choose must also be at least 18 years old.

If you need help with issues related to a Texas durable power of attorney, you can post your question or concern on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Stripe, and Twilio.

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