In the State of South Carolina, a Power of Attorney (“POA”) is a legal document that conveys to another written authority to assist you, either immediately or upon a future condition, regarding financial decisions while you are alive. The person appointed powers under a Power of Attorney is called an “agent” (under older statutes, the “agent” was called an “attorney in fact”). The person for which a Power of Attorney is drafted is called a “principal.” Upon death, a Power of Attorney written and executed on your behalf is no longer effective; instead, it “dies” with you. At that point, the Executor of your estate (otherwise known as a Personal Representative) takes over (or, in the case of Trusts that touch on your property after your passing, a Trustee takes over).

Not all Powers of Attorney are the same; different individuals have different requirements that will result in unique powers granted or withheld in a Power of Attorney. However, it is not uncommon to see powers expressly added that include authority to deal with the State of South Carolina and the IRS on all tax matters including income and gift taxes, accessing safe deposit boxes, changing beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement plans, changing one’s residence, among many others.

Like so many answers in law, this is no different: it depends. If a Power of Attorney is durable, then it provides that it will stay in effect even if you become incapacitated later on. If a Power of Attorney is springing, then it only takes effect if once you have become incapacitated and your doctor or multiple doctors (depending on how your POA is drafted) sign a statement that you, the incapacitated person, need another individual to handle your affairs.

You should only name a person in a Power of Attorney if you can fully trust them and rely upon them because a Power of Attorney is a very powerful document. Again, not only should you find this person trustworthy, but also reliable; Powers of Attorney often require the Agent to keep accountings (at least annually) for their actions on behalf of the Principal, especially while the principal is incapacitated. In this context, trust and reliability are distinct terms. For instance, you may know someone you love very much and confide information to them on a personal level, but that same person may not necessarily be reliable enough to do even basic bookkeeping or record keeping. Never feel compelled to appoint an agent as a favor or as a gesture of goodwill—an agent must be both trustworthy and reliable.