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Power of Attorney

A power of attorney lets someone you trust act on your behalf. Use attorney-drafted templates that are reliable, up-to-date, and easy to complete in minutes.

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What is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) authorizes another person to make legal, financial, or healthcare decisions for you. It can be temporary or long-term, depending on your needs. Choose your state to access forms that meet local requirements.

Common Power of Attorney documents

  • General Power of Attorney — Grants broad authority to manage financial or legal matters.
  • Durable Power of Attorney — Stays in effect if you become incapacitated.
  • Limited Power of Attorney — Authorizes actions for specific tasks or time periods.
  • Medical Power of Attorney — Names someone to make healthcare decisions if you can’t.
  • Financial Power of Attorney — Lets an agent handle money, property, or banking matters.
  • Springing Power of Attorney — Becomes active only when a set condition occurs, such as incapacity.
  • Revocation of Power of Attorney — Cancels a previously granted authority.

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Similar documents: key differences

  • Power of Attorney vs. Healthcare Proxy — Both name decision-makers; the proxy focuses only on medical choices.
  • Durable Power of Attorney vs. General Power of Attorney — Durable continues after incapacity; general ends when you cannot act.
  • Medical Power of Attorney vs. Advance Directive — The first names a healthcare agent; the second includes care instructions.
  • Limited Power of Attorney vs. Special Power of Attorney — Often interchangeable terms for narrow, specific authority.
  • Springing Power of Attorney vs. Immediate Power of Attorney — Springing activates upon a trigger; immediate works at signing.
  • Continuing Power of Attorney vs. Enduring Power of Attorney — Different names for a POA that remains valid after incapacity.

  • A power of attorney ends automatically at death.

  • The person granting authority is the principal; the representative is the agent or attorney-in-fact.

  • The agent must act in the principal’s best interest.

  • Many states require signatures to be notarized or witnessed.

  • You can name alternate agents in case your first choice cannot serve.

  • Financial and healthcare powers often appear in separate documents.

  • Revoking an old POA ensures only current authority applies.

How to get started

You can set up your power of attorney quickly by following these steps.

  • Find the POA form that matches your needs and state.
  • Review its description, preview, and signing instructions.
  • Unlock full access with your subscription.
  • Fill it out easily in the online editor.
  • Export or send — download, email, mail, notarize online, or e-sign (Premium).

Practical tip

Choose someone you fully trust as your agent — reliability matters more than convenience.

FAQs

A court may need to appoint someone to handle your affairs, which can take time and add costs.

Yes. You can appoint co-agents or alternates and decide if they act jointly or separately (if permitted by the laws of your state).

It can, depending on how it’s written. A durable POA lasts through incapacity; others may end sooner.

Yes. You can revoke it anytime while you’re mentally competent by signing a revocation document.

No. Medical POAs handle healthcare choices, while financial POAs manage money and property.

Glossary

  • Principal — Person who grants authority to another.
  • Agent — Person authorized to act under a POA.
  • Attorney-in-Fact — Another term for agent.
  • Durable Power of Attorney — Continues after incapacity.
  • Limited Power of Attorney — Covers specific tasks or time.
  • Healthcare Proxy — Medical decision-maker designation.
  • Advance Directive — Written healthcare wishes and instructions.
  • Springing Power of Attorney — Activates upon a defined event.
  • Revocation — Document canceling a prior POA.
  • Authorization to Act — Grant of permission to make decisions.

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