Legal Question in Banking Law in Georgia

Bank will not honor POA

I have a Durable POA from my husband to act on his behalf. It was given to me because of his job taking him all over the US and not being here to take care of business. Bank of America will not honor this POA by allowing me to cash his pay check which is also written on a bank that is now one of theirs. Today, I tried to partially deposit his pay check and also get some cash to pay bills. The manager advised me that the POA is not for such an action and they would not honor this. How do I get them to honor this POA? This POA includes banking transactions.


Asked on 9/22/04, 12:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Alan Albin Alan S. Albin, Attorney at Law

Re: Bank will not honor POA

Perhaps the bank is unwilling to let you take cash out unless that authority is expressly granted in the POA. You do not say the POA gives you express authorization to take cash out of his account. You do say the POA empowers you to engage in "banking transactions". The bank has to be careful because if it erroneously pays out cash to you, in broadly interpreting the POA, it could be liable to your husband.

Conceivably, you could try to get a court order to force the bank to actually pay you the cash, but this is really not a practical way of solving your problem (I would assume).

Since your husband is in the United States (although traveling), and there are fax machines, Fed Ex boxes, and telephones practically everywhere, however, it would seem easier to simply ask your husband to call the bank himself to find out how you could get access to the funds in his account.

I strongly recommend that you consult with an attorney immediately so that you can explore your legal rights, obligations, and options. If you wish to discuss retaining my services, contact me at:

[email protected]

(973)-605-8995

(*Licensed in New Jersey, Maryland, and Dist. of Columbia)

[Disclaimer: The above comments are not intended as nor should they be relied upon as "legal advice", which can only be obtained by personal consultation with a retained attorney; at which time the specific facts and circumstances of your case can be thoroughly evaluated. This reply is provided for general informational and educational purposes only, and does not create an attorney-client relationship with the responding attorney.]

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Answered on 9/23/04, 12:02 am


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