Mastering the Art of Being POA: Lessons, Tips, and Real-Life Wisdom
Here’s a Joke for you:
Why did the family member agree to be the POA? Stumped?
Because they thought it stood for "Person of Awesomeness!" Now they're just signing papers and wondering where their cape went.
Our Journey
Well, my journey to becoming a Power of Attorney (POA) started with learning that there are several types. I’m an overachiever, so we did everything that Virginia has to offer—which turned out to be a great decision because they’ve all been useful. I have a medical POA, financial POA, and real estate POA. But you know what’s even more annoying? The fact that every single company seems to make life unnecessarily difficult for the person who has become POA.
Over and over, I had to call places—especially the cable and internet companies and the health insurance provider. Those were the worst. It was even more frustrating trying to set things up from out of town. I ended up taking two months off and going home to figure out all the logistics. This is a luxury many people won’t have, and I’m deeply grateful I could do it. However, I continuously lost my temper while on hold. Because, of course, this is exactly what I wanted to be doing while my grandma was dying—listening to their terrible hold music.
Remember that notebook I recommended in Becoming THE Caregiver? You’ll need it for this process. Keep it handy, and make sure to document, document, and document.
Wisdom from the Journey: Lessons You Can Use
Don’t let the hold music stress you out—use the time to enjoy the person you’re helping.
Don’t try to get everything done in one day. This takes time, and trying to overachieve will interrupt your peace.
Don’t feel obligated to update all family members about bills or finances unless your loved one specifically asks. Protect your peace.
Pro Tips from Our Journey
Print and fill out all the necessary POA forms in one go. If they’re not completed on the first try, you might not get another chance. It’s better to have too much paperwork than not enough.
Keep the originals marked and stored safely in a file. Make multiple copies to distribute, as some institutions (like banks) will only accept originals.
While at the bank, don’t forget to update beneficiaries and ensure you have access through the app or online accounts.
Use the list of bills in your notebook as a checklist for all places that will need the POA information on file.
Check on the will and update it as necessary. A basic will can be done independently, but if there are assets, trusts to establish, or inheritance complications, consider seeking legal advice based on your confidence in handling it yourself.