There are various places where one can find a free copy of the durable power of attorney. A person may need to make sure that he or she has a durable power of attorney. It is important when one goes to the hospital to have a durable power of attorney if needed. This document helps determine who makes critical decisions if an individual is having surgery.People needing durable power of attorney
. can go to this website of attorneys forms to get one: www.legaldocuments.com. Forms are available by state. However, for many of the documents on legaldocuments.com, one must pay a small fee to access them. There are, however, free informational documents available elsewhere online.Informational copies of a durable power of attorney form are available for free online. For example, consider the sample form at http://www.expertlaw.com/library/estate_planning/durable_power_of_attorney.html. As described in the form, the primary purpose of the durable power of attorney document is to delegate an attorney or other person to make decisions on behalf of another in the event of a person becoming disabled or incapacitated and unable to make decision. According to the form, it goes into effect upon disability or legal incapacitation, giving the attorney "Authority to Act". It gives this secondary party "Powers of Agent", or full control over the individual's affairs including personal properties, investments, buying and selling, borrowing, business and banking decisions, stock trades and proxy voting, filing tax returns, and overall delegation of authority. There are some limitations, however. In this particular sample power of attorney document, the secondary party is not permitted to execute a will, change the beneficiaries on a life insurance policy, make gifts on the person's behalf, or go against "medical power of attorney" if this was filed or set up separately. This form also protects attorneys or secondary parties against indemnification unless it is a result of negligence on their part. More reference links: http://www.expertlaw.com/library/estate_planning/durable_power_of_attorney.html www.legaldocuments.com