Today’s checkup: find your Financial Power of Attorney.
That’s it. Set a timer for five minutes and see if you can put your hands on it. Having one somewhere and being able to produce it this week are two different checkups.
Once you find it, check:
- When was it signed? An older document isn’t automatically invalid, but its age can be a good reason to review whether it still fits your circumstances.
- Who is your agent? Is this still the person you trust to handle your financial affairs?
- Who is the backup? If your first choice couldn’t serve, is a successor named?
- Do you know what authority it actually gives them? A Power of Attorney doesn’t necessarily authorize every transaction simply because it’s called a “Power of Attorney.”
Your five-minute question
If I couldn’t handle my finances tomorrow, would the right person have the authority they need?
If you aren’t sure, that’s something worth reviewing before the document is needed. Power of Attorney requirements and authority vary by state and individual circumstances. Five minutes is enough to find the paper and read the names. It is not enough to rewrite the powers, add a child from a form, or assume a bank will accept whatever you wave at the counter.
If you cannot find it in five minutes, today’s checkup is already finished — and the finding is that the household cannot produce it. Write that down. Tell the person you would want to act. A document that cannot be found cannot help in a crisis, no matter how carefully it was signed.
Keep the checkup small. You are looking for the Financial Power of Attorney, not rewriting it. If you find more than one, note the dates. If you find only a medical form, that is a different document and today’s answer is that the financial paper is still missing. Power of Attorney requirements and authority vary by state. Do not treat a bank’s extra paperwork as a substitute for finding yours.
Veteran Legacy Counsel helps veteran families look at whether a Financial Power of Attorney can actually be found — and whether the person named still fits. If you want a second set of eyes on yours, call or request a consultation.
Balance security with access
The original should be protected from fire, water, loss, and unauthorized access, but not hidden so thoroughly that the agent cannot obtain it. A fire-resistant home safe may work if the right person knows how to access it. A safe-deposit box can create access problems if the agent is not authorized to enter it. Ask counsel whether an original, certified copy, or electronic copy will be needed in the relevant jurisdiction and transaction.
Give the named agent and successor clear location instructions. Consider providing a copy in advance when appropriate, or at least the attorney’s contact information and a secure method for retrieval. Store outdated versions separately and mark them clearly so no one presents the wrong document.
Keep distribution controlled
A power of attorney contains sensitive information and may grant broad authority. Do not email it casually or leave it in an unsecured cloud folder. Maintain a short record of who received copies. After revocation or replacement, notify appropriate recipients and follow legal advice about retrieving or superseding prior copies.
Next step
Talk through this with Veteran Legacy Counsel
We'll look at your documents and tell you what they actually do. We do not file VA claims. This is legal planning and educational guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a power of attorney be kept?
Somewhere your agent can actually reach under stress — not only in a safe nobody can open. At least one trusted person should know the location.
Is a digital copy enough?
Institutions often want original or certified papers. Know where the signed original is, and whether your agent can get it quickly.
What if we cannot find it at all?
Treat that as a planning gap. Rebuilding authority before a crisis is usually easier than arguing with a bank after one.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship. You should consult with an attorney licensed in your state for advice specific to your situation. Veteran Legacy Counsel does not file VA claims.
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