What's the difference between general, durable, and springing?

General = broad powers now, ends at incapacity. Durable = survives incapacity. Springing = activates only at incapacity. Most estate planning uses a durable POA; this template lets you select.

Does a power of attorney cover medical decisions?

No — this is a financial POA. Medical decisions need a separate healthcare directive / medical POA / enduring guardianship depending on your jurisdiction.

Do I need a lawyer for a POA?

For anything beyond simple, limited powers — yes, genuinely. It grants serious authority, execution rules are jurisdiction-specific, and mistakes surface exactly when you can no longer fix them. Use this to prepare; execute with advice.

Power of Attorney Template

Authorizes someone you trust to act on your behalf — generally or for specific tasks, immediately or only if you lose capacity. This is the document to have reviewed locally; execution rules vary sharply.

GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY I, , of , appoint , of , as my attorney-in-fact ("Agent"). 1. POWERS. My Agent may act for me in: ( ) Banking and financial transactions ( ) Buying, selling, and managing real estate ( ) Paying bills and managing household affairs ( ) Insurance and superannuation/retirement accounts ( ) Tax matters and dealings with government agencies ( ) Legal claims and proceedings ( ) Other: 2. LIMITATIONS. My Agent may NOT: . 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Power of Attorney takes effect: . 4. DURABILITY. 5. REVOCATION. I may revoke this document at any time while I have capacity, by written notice. It ends automatically on my death. 6. AGENT DUTIES. My Agent must act in my best interests, keep my property separate from theirs, and keep accurate records. 7. THIRD PARTIES. Persons relying on this document in good faith are protected; I request they accept a copy as if it were the original. SIGNED: _________________________ Date: WITNESS 1: _________________ Name, Address, Signature WITNESS 2: _________________ Name, Address, Signature — Notary signature and seal]

Download Word (.docx)0/12 blanks filled · nothing is uploaded — this stays on your device

Using this for something that matters?

This free power of attorney covers the standard situation. If real money, property, or an ongoing relationship rides on it, a professionally drafted version — or a quick attorney review of what you've filled in — costs little and removes the guesswork.

Ask any local attorney for a fixed-fee document review — most offer one.

How to use this template

Execution formalities are the trap: many places require specific witnesses, a notary, or a prescribed statutory form. Sign this in the format YOUR jurisdiction requires or it may be refused.
Banks are notoriously picky — some insist on their own POA forms. Ask your bank what they accept before you need it.
Choose durability deliberately (clause 4): a non-durable POA dies exactly when most people need it to live.

These templates are general forms for informational purposes, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using them. Laws vary by state and country — have a licensed attorney review any document before you rely on it.

Common questions

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