Indiana Power of Attorney Laws

Indiana Power of Attorney Laws

Indiana has a few power of attorney laws that you must be aware of. A power of attorney agreement protects you if you become incapacitated or must leave town for an extended period. With a legal power of attorney form, you can designate another person to handle your financial, business and legal transactions for you. This person is named your attorney-in-fact or power of attorney agent.
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Medical Power of Attorney Laws in Indiana

As far as Indiana law is concerned, a “life prolonging procedure” is any medical treatment that ensures a patient's survival via the replacement of organ function, (by natural or artificial means) or otherwise serves to prevent death. However, this does not include care given to alleviate pain.

Citizens have the right to appoint an individual to make health decisions in the event they cannot speak for themselves. An Indiana medical power of attorney ensures someone close to you is acting on your behalf.

The legalities of an Indiana power of attorney for medical purposes involve four things.

1. The power of attorney is in writing. Verbal agreements are not valid.
2. The principal signs the agreement in front of at least one witness.
3. The principal may add any terms to the power of attorney that he deems necessary.
4. The understanding that the medical power of attorney takes effect when the principal is incapacitated.

The principal is authorized to revoke the Indiana power of attorney as he sees fit. To do so, he must send a certified letter to the current power of attorney. Verbal notification to any third parties, such as a doctor or hospital, is fine.

Durable and Non-Durable Power of Attorney Laws

Durable and non-durable power of attorney agreements require the attorney in fact to act legally at all times. In addition, the power of attorney agent must act in accord with the interests of the principal. The agent may not benefit from anything he does unless the principal stated that in the Indiana power of attorney form. Indiana laws declare it is a conflict of interest to directly benefit while in control of the principal's matters.

If an Indiana attorney in fact's power is revoked, the replacement attorney in fact cannot be held accountable for the original attorney in power's misdeeds.

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