Power of Attorney

[keepitsimple]

Does anyone here have experience with getting POA from their parents?  Not sure if I need to have it drawn up by a lawyer or can use an online form and have it notarized.  My dad is in the hospital and looks like he will need to be moving on to a nursing home in about a month and my mom is becoming less mentally stable.  I am an only child so all of the planning and Medicaid filing will be my responsibility.  My parents were very NON-mustachian and nothing is planned or prepared for legally or financially.

[matchewed]

I believe it will be up to your particular state's laws (assuming you're US based). I'd either a) consult an actual lawyer on this one, or b) start digging into your state's laws and understand them.

[Rural]

Not parents (yet), but my husband and I have durable and healthcare POA for each other. We got it all done at once by an attorney for under $100. If the cost in your area is that low, I'd say it's worth it even if a printed-off POA would "probably" hold up in your state. Call an attorney and ask, then dig deeper if it's going to be really expensive.

[CommonCents]

If your mom is already becoming unstable, there's a risk she can't consent to a POA.  (You need to be mentally capable to do so.)  Talk to a lawyer.