Durable POA , Example About General Power Of Attorney???

Q: Got a question.My spouse is bedridden,,I Went to the bank yesterday to "redo" his IRA.took my "General Power of Attny".. and the bank would not accept this..they had to have a "Durable Power of Attny".. that had been filed at the courthouse..fortunately,I was able to take the papers home where my spouse could sign them..but to make a long story short. What is the difference between a "General" and a "Durable" POA ?? guess I'll have to see a lawyer .. right ??

A: -A general power is voided when the person granting it becomes incabable of revoking it. This could be because of a mental or physical disability. If you produce a general power the person receiving it does not know if the grantor is disabled or not. A durable power should be written to continue in force even if the grantor becomes physically or mentally incable of revoking it. A POA should list what powers are being granted, in gory detail. Broad categories, such as a power for financial purposes, a power for selling. buying, transferring, etc real property, a power for health care, and others, should be spelled out in detail. In most states, a durable power should be notarized and also witnessed by disinterested parties. A general power usually reqires notarization but not witnesses. All powers

of attorney are voided when the grantor dies. Some people will say there are self-help books and internet sites containing sample powers, but since you don;t want to mae any errors -- which might not be fixable -- having a lawyer is a good idea. (I am not a lawyer.) -Normally, a power of attorney expires when the person who gives the power either becomes incompetent (normally mentally) or dies. A durable power of attorney (not accepted in all states) allows you to continue to act for your spouse even if he becomes incompetent. Check with a local stationery/legal forms shop. There may be a standard for that is satisfactory. They have them here in California, at least.