199: Your Power of Attorney Is Valid—So Why Won't Anyone Accept It?

A new client recently asked Kirsten a question that resonated: "What can we do so we don't face the same pushback I did when my mom's bank wouldn't accept her power of attorney?" It's a frustration many families face—you have all the right documents, but when it's time to use them, banks and institutions push back. In this quick-tips episode, Kirsten Howe explains why powers of attorney are the most problematic basic estate planning document—not because they're poorly drafted, but because they require acceptance from a third party who doesn't know you to trust that your agent is legitimate. She walks through the bank's perspective on why they hesitate, and shares practical strategies to make sure your documents actually work when you need them most, including re-signing your POA periodically, keeping assets in your trust, and filling out your bank's own power of attorney form. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 1:24 The client question that inspired this episode: "What can we do to avoid the hassle I had with my mom's power of attorney?" 1:52 To get things started, Kirsten talks about what a power of attorney is and how it should work. 2:28 Next, let's discuss why powers of attorney are the most problematic estate planning document 3:18 The bank's perspective: Why financial institutions push back even on legally valid documents 4:09 Kirsten's own experience challenging powers of attorney—why healthy skepticism is prudent 6:15 Re-sign your power of attorney every year or two to keep it fresh and current 6:45 Keep assets in your trust—banks respond more favorably to successor trustees than POA agents 7:45 For accounts outside your trust, consider adding your child as a signer 8:00 Fill out your bank's own power of attorney form—they can't question their own paperwork Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to

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199: Your Power of Attorney Is Valid—So Why Won't Anyone Accept It? is an episode from Absolute Trust Talk by Kirsten Howe.

This episode is 09:50 long.

This episode was published on Jan 14, 2026.

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