Can a POA keep family from visiting?

Asked by: George Keebler  |  Last update: December 4, 2025
Score: 5/5 (23 votes)

If the principal wants to see the visitor, the POA cannot interfere. If the principal lacks mental capacity, the POA (a/k/a the attorney-in-fact) may control most aspects of life. However, restricting access to friends and family is not normally done unless necessary to protect the principal.

Can power of attorney stop visitors for a family member?

It is permissible for the POA to keep certain people from visiting with the elder but it is a breach of his fiduciary duty to do this when it is not in your mother's best interest and it probably would not be hard to prove this.

What three decisions cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?

What a power of attorney can't do
  • Change a principal's will.
  • Break their fiduciary duty to act in the principal's best interests.
  • Make decisions on behalf of the principal after their death. (POA ends with the death of the principal. ...
  • Change or transfer POA to someone else.

Can a power of attorney keep you from seeing someone?

A power of attorney only allows one to act on behalf of the principal...it does not prevent the principal from acting on his own behalf. Nor, does it allow them to prevent you from seeing the patient...and if they attempt to do so, you should file a court action for a court order allowing you access to the patient.

Can a power of attorney keep family away?

Power of attorney can help someone uphold your wishes

Those wishes could include instructions to keep certain family members or all family members away from your hospital room or where you undergo treatment.

Can a Family Member Override Power of Attorney?

22 related questions found

What is a power of attorney not allowed to do?

Things You Can't Do As a Power of Attorney Agent

Write a will for them, nor can you edit their current will. Take money directly from their bank accounts. Make decisions after the person you are representing dies. Give away your role as agent in the power of attorney.

Can a POA evict a family member?

If a family member is residing in one of the principal's properties without paying rent, or if the family member is in violation of the terms of their lease, or if their lease has expired but they are refusing to move out, then the agent with power of attorney will need to file an eviction action with the court with ...

What does power of attorney give you authority over?

A power of attorney gives one or more persons the power to act on your behalf as your agent. The power may be limited to a particular activity, such as closing the sale of your home, or be general in its application. The power may give temporary or permanent authority to act on your behalf.

Can a nursing home override a power of attorney?

Can a Nursing Home Override a Power Of Attorney? Generally, a nursing home cannot override the decisions made by an agent with power of attorney. The purpose of a POA is to give a trusted individual legal authority to act on the principal's behalf when they can no longer make decisions.

What voids a power of attorney?

For example, for power of attorney to be durable in California, it must contain specific language to that effect. Power of attorney documents must also either be notarized or signed by two witnesses. These errors and others can render the power of attorney void.

What is the downside of being a power of attorney?

Risk of Mismanagement or Abuse

Since the legal instrument grants considerable authority to these individuals, they might potentially use this power for personal gain. For instance, an untrustworthy agent could mismanage or steal financial assets, leading to significant asset loss or debt accumulation.

Can a doctor override power of attorney?

No, a doctor cannot override a medical power of attorney. Your doctor is obligated to follow the direction of the person you designate as having medical power of attorney over you.

Can a power of attorney spend money on themselves?

An agent can only transfer money to themselves if the POA document explicitly allows it. Self-transfers without explicit authorization are generally considered a breach of fiduciary duty and can lead to legal consequences.

Can a sibling with power of attorney prevent other siblings from seeing a parent?

A: A POA cannot prevent other siblings from seeing their parents. If they do so, then they could face legal repercussions. If your sibling is preventing you from seeing your parent, then you should contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Can you quit being power of attorney for someone?

You Can Just Say No: Declining to Act as an Agent Under a Power of Attorney. Acting as an agent under a power of attorney is a big responsibility and it isn't something everyone can take on. It is possible to resign or refuse the position. There are two main types of powers of attorney – financial and medical.

What to do if a sibling keeps you away from your elderly parent?

You can contact the adult protective services governmental agency in your area, explain the situation and inquire about an investigation. Usually, government agencies will send someone to a parent's home to interview him or her. If possible, ask to go along with them.

What happens to your bills when you go into a nursing home?

If you have existing unpaid medical bills, and go into a nursing home and receive Medicaid, the program may allow you to use some or all of your current monthly income to pay the old bills, rather than just to be paid over to the nursing home, providing you still owe these old medical bills and you meet a few other ...

Is a POA responsible for paying bills?

Financial Obligations

An agent with a POA must manage the principal's funds and pay bills, including nursing home expenses, using the principal's assets. They cannot be personally liable for the bills unless they've signed an agreement making themselves responsible.

How do you prove power of attorney abuse?

Power of attorney abuse must be proven before action can be taken. Financial records showing that the Agent is taking advantage of the Principal are often the best proof. You can file a lawsuit against the Agent for power of attorney abuse.

What is the most powerful power of attorney?

1. General Power of Attorney. A General Power of Attorney grants broad powers to an agent to conduct a variety of transactions. This capability becomes a critical tool in executing an estate plan or managing legal business and financial affairs.

What are the liabilities of being a power of attorney?

What are the liabilities of being a power of attorney? As an attorney-in-fact, you may be contacted by creditors of the principal for debts owed; however, you are not financially liable. Nevertheless, the creditors do have the right to attempt to collect payment from the principal.

Can a power of attorney sell property before death?

Key Takeaways: A Power of Attorney (POA) can sell property before death if explicitly authorized in the document, but authority ends immediately upon death.

What are the limitations of power of attorney?

The POA cannot transfer the responsibility to another Agent at any time. The POA cannot make any legal or financial decisions after the death of the Principal, at which point the Executor of the Estate would take over. The POA cannot distribute inheritances or transfer assets after the death of the Principal.

Can a person move into my jointly owned home without my permission?

Co-Owner's Right to Access the Property

A fundamental rule of co-ownership in California is that: “One of the essential unities of a joint tenancy is that of possession. Each tenant owns an equal interest in all of the fee, and each has an equal right to possession of the whole. Possession by one is possession by all.

What is the penalty for abuse of power of attorney?

The California Probate Code provides for civil penalties against agents for breaching fiduciary duties to their principals. If an agent breaches a fiduciary duty, they are chargeable for: Any loss or depreciation in value of the principal's property resulting from the breach of duty, with interest.