Are your parents visiting you overseas?
If they are away for months, ensure someone has the legal power to handle their affairs in India.
View Overseas Visit Guide1. What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document where one person (the "grantor") gives another person (the "agent") the authority to act on their behalf.
2. Why Every NRI Family Needs One — Medical PoA First
"I've seen this in hospitals more times than I can count: a senior citizen brought in unconscious and the family is abroad. Without a Medical PoA, treatment gets delayed while everyone scrambles."
3. Types of PoA You Need
| Type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Medical PoA | Hospital consent, treatment decisions |
| Financial PoA | Banking, pension, insurance, tax filing |
Country-Specific Instructions
From Australia
• Apostille authority: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
4. Costs Breakdown
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Indian lawyer (drafting) | ₹3,000 – ₹10,000 |
| TOTAL (Signing in India) | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
6. Your Action Checklist
Decide who the agent will be. Must be trusted and physically accessible in India.
Decide which type(s) you need. At minimum: Medical + Financial.
Find an Indian lawyer in your parent's home state.
Gather all required documents for parent and agent.
Planning to start the PoA process?
Schedule it into your next India visit for smoother registration.