Jordan (not his real name) consulted me about the use of a power of attorney that appoints him as attorney for his father, Peter.

I’ll start with a quick lingo lesson. Folks commonly refer to the appointed attorney as a “power of attorney,” which is technically incorrect. Jordan is not his father’s “power of attorney.” A power of attorney is a document. By signing that document, Peter (the grantor) appointed his son as his attorney.

Adding confusion, the word “attorney” is unfortunate because most folks think of an attorney as being a lawyer.

Peter has been very generous to Jordan and his sister Samantha. On three occasions, after selling a piece of property or liquidating some investments, Peter has split the proceeds between his two adult children.

Demetia has taken........

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