Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Minnesota

Re: How should a power of attorney sign for the principal on legal documents

The short answer is it depends a lot on what you are signing. A check might look a lot different from a deed.

I can only give some examples, and this is dangerous because what is appropriate can vary depending on circumstances.

Assuming that the principal is John Doe and the attorney in fact is John Smith:

In an informal situation: "John Smith, POA" might be sufficient.

In a more formal document, it might look more like this:

"John Doe

By: _______________________________

John Smith his attorney in fact"

with John Smith signing above his name on the line.

I stongly suggest that if you have any doubt at all you consult an attorney. Once you do it wrong, it can be difficult to correct. I am also assuming here that you have a perfectly valid power of attorney. If it's home made, you would be well advised to have it checked over by an attorney.

Good luck.

This response is for general information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are advised to consult with the attorney of your choice concerning the details of your case.

Good luck.