Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Can you give someone permission to sign your name? I sent my sister a check and forgot to sign it. I want to know if I can legally give her verbal permission/sent her a text message to sign my name. She is just afraid that I might turn around and say I never gave her permission. I would never do this, but if I did could she be charged for forgery or could she testify that I gave her verbal permission/text message(written permission)? I don't know if in this state you can allow someone to sign your name or is it always considered forgery unless you're someone's POA.


Asked on 1/13/14, 6:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
JAY Nixon nixon law offices

Forgery, as a criminal charge, requires the government to prove intent to defraud in WI. Therefore signing someone's name with permission (and not under oath) might not support the felony criminal charge, even if it is still technical forgery under certain dictionary definitions. To accomplish what you ask about correctly, however, a written power of attorney allowing the signature would be best.

Do not assume that I am your attorney due to this answer, but feel free to call my office in Racine (262-633-3090 or email [email protected]) for clarifications or further questions. Otherwise, I would not be taking any further action on your case. See me on the web at www.jayknixonlaw.com. View my past answers at http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/53401-wi-jay-nixon-1529181/answers.html?sort=recency , or http://www.lawguru.com/answers/search/attorney/jknixon.

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Answered on 1/14/14, 6:06 am


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