What if the principal has a “guardian” appointed by the court?
If no less restrictive appropriate alternative is available, then a guardian may be appointed by the court for a person who no longer can care for his or her person or property. A person who has a guardian appointed by the court may not be able to lawfully execute a Power of Attorney. If an attorney-in-fact discovers that a guardian has been appointed prior to the date the principal signed the Power of Attorney, the attorney-in-fact should advise his or her lawyer. If a guardianship court proceeding is begun after the Durable Power of Attorney was signed by the principal, the authority of the attorney-in-fact is automatically suspended until the petition is dismisssed, withdrawn or otherwise acted upon. The law requires that an attorney-in-fact receive notice of the guardianship proceeding. If a guardian is appointed, the Power of Attorney is no longer effective unless the court allows certain powers to continue. The power to make health care decisions, however, is not suspended unless
If no less restrictive appropriate alternative is available, then a guardian may be appointed by the court for a person who no longer can care for his or her person or property. A person who has a guardian appointed by the court may not be able to lawfully execute a Power of Attorney. If an attorney-in-fact discovers that a guardian has been appointed prior to the date the principal signed the Power of Attorney, the attorney-in-fact should advise his or her lawyer. If a guardianship court proceeding is begun after the Durable Power of Attorney was signed by the principal, the authority of the attorney-in-fact is automatically suspended until the petition is dismissed, withdrawn or otherwise acted upon. The law requires that an attorney-in-fact receive notice of the guardianship proceeding. If a guardian is appointed, the Power of Attorney is no longer effective unless the court allows certain powers to continue. The power to make health care decisions, however, is not suspended unless
