Colorado Powers of Attorney & Ability to Sign

After a parent enters the hospital, family members often want Colorado medical and financial powers of attorney.  A person who is unable to physically execute a Colorado power of attorney may direct another to execute on their behalf.  The process is more complicated, but a person does not have to physically sign the Colorado power of attorney, themselves.

There is a difference between directing another to sign a power of attorney on your behalf and being competent to direct another to sign on your behalf.  For example, a sedated person probably cannot give a Colorado power of attorney to another.  Nor can an adult child of an unconscious person be given Colorado power of attorney just because the need is obvious.  The person granting the power of attorney must be competent to do so.  Under this situation, some version of a guardianship and conservatorship proceeding must be initiated.  Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings tend to be much more expensive than a power of attorney.  For that reason, it is important that powers of attorney already be in place before the need arises.