Tuesday, September 08, 1998
Law of agency
Sep 8 1998 12:00 am
The previous messages mention powers of attorney, step-parent visitaion rights, etc. Just curious: How many of us have arranged these things legally? I am the parent who takes my SS to the doctor, the dentist, back-to-school night, church, the rock-climbing wall, etc. etc. etc. I do the teacher conferences, I schmooze his friends' parents, I decide whether he will or will not get a hepatitis B vaccination . . .
I have no legal authority to do any of this.
[snip doctor's visit]
Does anybody ever get questioned about this kind of thing? Anybody ever NOT been allowed to sign for something?
I'm out of my depth here. I've always vaguely assumed this was covered by the law of agency. BF and BM share legal custody. I act as BF's agent, because he has given me the authority to do so. It doesn't have to be written down.
On a more practical note, how are doctors, dentists, coaches, etc. supposed to know, really? My daughter, my husband, and I all have different last names. Even if you do have the same last name, that doesn't mean you have legal custody. I suppose they could ask for birth certificates, custody papers, divorce decrees, etc. for every kid whose parent signs a form.
jane
