Power of Attorney

[Trivone (Austin's Mom)]

Should parents have in hand the Power of Attorney before deployment.

[Lisa, Nuke Wife]

YES! I cannot stress this enough. I have my husbands obviously cause hes married but some trusted partner at home needs to have one. I've used mine twice since hes left for deployment and he wont even be home till December. Very important to have for handling money issues and for using with the navy.

[judy r]

I agree with Lisa yes to the POA that gives you legal status to handle his affairs when the need arises especially if he is over 18.

[Lily AJ]

How does a person go about getting a Power of Attorney?

[Lisa, Nuke Wife]

The sailor can fill one out for free at the bases legal or JAG office. Its very simple and takes a few minutes. Its notarized and lasts for one year.

[Trivone (Austin's Mom)]

Does he get the form right then?

[samm]

can my son get this form from his recruiter?

[bryan]

They should be able to get one done in their unit before they deploy. If its something like banking or something with vehicles, make sure they get a specific POA not a General POA.

[Suzanne]

Yes, I believe parents or a spouse should ABSOLUTELY have power of attorney. Make sure it includes medical decision making and the ability to get medical information. I have my son's power of attorney and have used it countless times, mainly for financial matters, but also in other areas. My son gave me power of attorney over a year ago when he left for Boot Camp. We had it done by a private attorney in our area.

[Achseh]

Only if the sailor wishes you to have one. It's their decision alone.

[Suzanne]

You are correct, Achseh. If the sailor wishes to share this authority with someone, its a great tool. But these sailors are adults (legally and otherwise!) and its their decision. I firmly believe that a great deal of discussion should go on regarding how the power of attorney would be used, when it would be used, and what it should include. A power of attorney is a legal document whereby authority is SHARED by the person giving it and the person receiving it. No one every has power of attorney "over" anybody else. My son is deployed now and I find I'm using his power of attorney more and more. (Banking, taxes, auto registration, etc.)

[EILEEN]

Yes! I have used my daughters power of attorney at leat on a half dozen occasions!

[LizaJane]

My son left for the Navy right out of high school....he had no bills, no vehicle, no banking account.....so I had no need for POA that I can think of....I guess for medical purposes it would be good, but if he wasn't in the Navy I wouldn't get one so if no bills, etc I wouldn't think it nescessary...