POAs Power of Attorney Notary

Financial vs. Medical: Which Power of Attorney Holds the Most Weight?

Date: February 6, 2026

From my perspective behind the ledger, I often see these documents as the "internal controls" for a person’s life. To answer your question directly: No single POA "overrides" the others by default. Instead, they are designed to operate in separate silos of your life.

Think of it like a business with different departments—one person might run the Treasury (Financial/Durable POA), while another manages Health & Safety (Medical POA).

Comparison chart for Power of Attorney types. Durable POA handles banking and taxes, while Medical POA handles hospital care. It notes that the Durable POA holds weight over money and Medical POA holds weight over health, with no overlap between the two roles.

Does one hold "More Weight"?

In legal terms, "weight" is determined by the scope of authority defined in the document:

The "Specific" Rule: A POA only has weight in the area it is written for. If you have a Durable Financial POA, it holds 100% of the weight for financial matters but 0% for medical ones.
The "General" POA: You can create a "General Power of Attorney" that covers everything, but most attorneys and bookkeepers prefer separate documents. This is because you might want your daughter (a doctor) to handle medical calls, but your son (an accountant) to handle the books.

Can one override another?

The only way a POA is "overridden" is through revocation or court intervention:

Newer Documents: If you sign a new POA today, it typically overrides and cancels any POA you signed three years ago for that same category.
Guardianship: If a court appoints a legal Guardian or Conservator, that court order usually overrides any existing POA documents.
The Principal's Voice: As long as you are "of sound mind," you override everyone. A POA only speaks for you when you can't (or choose not to) speak for yourself.

Independent Bookkeeper's Note: From a record-keeping standpoint, the Durable Power of Attorney is the "heavy lifter" for your estate. Because it is durable, it stays active if you become incapacitated, ensuring the bills get paid and the lights stay on without needing a judge to get involved.

Important Legal Disclaimer

Resources & Legal References

To ensure your "internal controls" are based on the most accurate data, please refer to the following official Mississippi statutes and resources used in this guide:

Mississippi Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act: Governs the creation and authority of financial agents.
- Durable Status (Miss. Code § 87-3-105): Defines the specific language required to ensure a financial POA remains valid during incapacity.
- Effect of Incapacity (Miss. Code § 87-3-107): Confirms that acts performed by an agent during a principal's disability are legally binding.
Mississippi Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act (Miss. Code § 41-41-201 et seq.): Provides the legal framework for Medical POAs and Advance Health-Care Directives.
- Health-Care Decision Making (Miss. Code § 41-41-203): Defines the scope of authority for a health-care agent, including end-of-life care.
- Agent Authority (Miss. Code § 87-3-105): Clarifies that agents must act in the principal's best interest according to their known wishes.
Mississippi Notary Public Requirements:
- Notarial Authority (Miss. Code § 25-34-41): Outlines the official duties and commissions of notaries in Mississippi.
- Legal Disclaimer (Miss. Code § 25-33-31): Mandatory notice for non-attorney notaries regarding the unauthorized practice of law.