Things to Consider When a Parent Is Out of Town
Your estate plan may include powers of attorney that allow a trusted person to act on your behalf and advocate for you with regard to medical and financial matters when you cannot do so yourself. But do you have a similar document in place that gives someone the authority to care for your minor children when you are not able to?
A comprehensive estate plan covers contingencies not only for you but also for your minor children. A delegation of parental authority (DOPA), often called a power of attorney (POA) for parents or parental POA, allows you to give a nonparent the legal authority to make certain decisions for your minor child.
Delegating your parental authority to another person in a legal document can help ensure that your child receives the care they need when you are out of town on business or vacation. The document typically does not require a court order and does not supersede your parental rights.