POWER OF ATTORNEY
[General / Limited / Durable / Financial / Healthcare] POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all persons by these presents that I, [Principal Full Name], currently residing at [Principal Street Address], [City], [State/Province], [Postal Code], [Country] (the "Principal"), hereby appoint [Agent Full Name] as my true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact ("Agent") to act in my name, place, and stead.
ARTICLE 1: PRINCIPAL INFORMATION
Full Legal Name: [Principal Full Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [Principal Date of Birth]
Social Security Number / Tax ID: [Principal SSN/Tax ID]
Address: [Street Address], [City], [State/Province], [Postal Code], [Country]
Phone: [Principal Phone Number] | Email: [Principal Email]
ARTICLE 2: AGENT (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
Full Legal Name: [Agent Full Legal Name]
Relationship to Principal: [Relationship]
Address: [Agent Street Address], [City], [State/Province], [Postal Code], [Country]
Phone: [Agent Phone Number] | Email: [Agent Email]
ARTICLE 3: SUCCESSOR AGENT
If the above-named Agent is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint the following as Successor Agent:
Successor Agent Name: [Successor Agent Full Name]
Address: [Successor Agent Address]
Phone: [Successor Agent Phone] | Email: [Successor Agent Email]
ARTICLE 4: GRANT OF AUTHORITY
I hereby grant to my Agent full power and authority to act on my behalf with respect to the following matters, to the same extent as I could if personally present:
[Check all that apply:]
4.1 REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
☐ To buy, sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise deal with real property;
☐ To execute deeds, mortgages, leases, and other real estate documents;
☐ To manage, maintain, and improve real property;
☐ To pay or contest property taxes and assessments.
4.2 BANKING AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
☐ To open, close, manage, and transact business with bank accounts;
☐ To make deposits and withdrawals;
☐ To write checks and make electronic transfers;
☐ To access safe deposit boxes;
☐ To apply for loans and lines of credit.
4.3 INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
☐ To buy, sell, and manage stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities;
☐ To manage investment accounts and portfolios;
☐ To exercise stock options, rights, and warrants;
☐ To vote shares and execute proxies.
4.4 BUSINESS OPERATIONS
☐ To operate, manage, or sell businesses;
☐ To sign contracts and agreements;
☐ To hire and fire employees;
☐ To make business decisions and conduct business affairs.
4.5 INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT
☐ To purchase, modify, or cancel insurance policies;
☐ To file insurance claims;
☐ To manage retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension);
☐ To select or change beneficiaries (if specifically authorized).
4.6 TAX MATTERS
☐ To prepare, sign, and file tax returns;
☐ To pay taxes and make estimated payments;
☐ To represent me before tax authorities;
☐ To contest tax assessments and request refunds.
4.7 LEGAL MATTERS
☐ To initiate, defend, or settle legal proceedings;
☐ To hire and compensate attorneys;
☐ To execute legal documents on my behalf;
☐ To pursue or compromise claims.
4.8 PERSONAL PROPERTY
☐ To buy, sell, lease, or dispose of personal property;
☐ To manage vehicles, boats, and other titled property;
☐ To store, maintain, and insure personal property.
4.9 GOVERNMENT BENEFITS
☐ To apply for and manage government benefits (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA);
☐ To appeal benefit denials or reductions;
☐ To endorse and deposit benefit checks.
4.10 DIGITAL ASSETS
☐ To access and manage email accounts, social media, and online accounts;
☐ To manage digital files, photos, and cloud storage;
☐ To manage cryptocurrency and digital currencies;
☐ To manage domain names and websites.
4.11 GIFT-MAKING (Special Authorization Required)
☐ To make gifts to [Specify recipients and limits] not exceeding [$ Amount] per year per recipient;
☐ To make charitable contributions.
4.12 ALL OTHER MATTERS
☐ To perform all other acts that I could perform if personally present, including but not limited to:
[Specify any additional powers]
ARTICLE 5: LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
The Agent's authority is subject to the following limitations:
[Specify any limitations, restrictions, or conditions on the Agent's authority:]
[Example: Agent may not sell the Principal's primary residence without written consent]
[Example: Agent may not make gifts exceeding $15,000 per year]
[Example: Agent must obtain approval from [Person] for transactions exceeding $[Amount]]
ARTICLE 6: EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
6.1 Effective Date: [Choose one:]
☐ This Power of Attorney is effective immediately upon execution.
☐ This Power of Attorney is a "Springing" power that becomes effective only upon: [Specify triggering event, e.g., certification by two physicians that Principal is incapacitated]
6.2 Duration: [Choose one:]
☐ This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked by me or until my death.
☐ This Power of Attorney shall expire on [Expiration Date].
☐ This Power of Attorney shall expire upon completion of the following purpose: [Specify purpose]
ARTICLE 7: DURABILITY CLAUSE
[Choose one:]
☐ DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY: This Power of Attorney shall NOT be affected by my subsequent disability or incapacity. It shall remain in full force and effect unless and until revoked by me in writing or until my death.
☐ NON-DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY: This Power of Attorney shall terminate upon my disability or incapacity.
ARTICLE 8: AGENT'S DUTIES AND COMPENSATION
8.1 Fiduciary Duty: My Agent agrees to act in good faith, with due care, loyalty, and in my best interest. My Agent shall avoid conflicts of interest and shall keep my property separate from the Agent's own property.
8.2 Record Keeping: My Agent shall maintain accurate records of all transactions conducted on my behalf and shall provide accountings upon my request or the request of [Specify person(s) authorized to request accountings].
8.3 Compensation: [Choose one:]
☐ My Agent shall serve without compensation.
☐ My Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation of [Specify amount or rate].
8.4 Reimbursement: My Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of duties under this Power of Attorney.
ARTICLE 9: THIRD PARTY RELIANCE
9.1 Any third party who receives a copy of this document may rely upon and act under it without liability to me or my estate.
9.2 Revocation of this Power of Attorney is not effective as to a third party until the third party receives actual notice of the revocation.
9.3 I agree to indemnify and hold harmless any third party who acts in reliance upon this Power of Attorney.
ARTICLE 10: REVOCATION AND TERMINATION
I may revoke this Power of Attorney at any time by providing written notice to my Agent and any third parties who have relied upon it. This Power of Attorney shall terminate upon:
a) My written revocation;
b) My death;
c) My incapacity (if non-durable);
d) The expiration date specified above (if any);
e) The completion of the specified purpose (if applicable).
ARTICLE 11: GENERAL PROVISIONS
11.1 Governing Law: This Power of Attorney shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [State/Province/Country].
11.2 Severability: If any provision of this Power of Attorney is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
11.3 Photocopies: Photocopies or electronic copies of this Power of Attorney shall have the same force and effect as the original.
11.4 Interpretation: This Power of Attorney shall be liberally construed to grant my Agent the broadest powers authorized herein.
ARTICLE 12: PRINCIPAL'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have read this Power of Attorney and understand its contents. I am of sound mind and under no duress or undue influence. I execute this document voluntarily and intend for it to be legally binding.
I understand that:
• This Power of Attorney authorizes another person to make decisions and act on my behalf;
• My Agent must act in my best interest and in accordance with my instructions;
• I may revoke this Power of Attorney at any time while I am competent;
• I should monitor my Agent's actions and review accountings.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney on the date set forth below.
PRINCIPAL:
Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [Principal Full Name]
Date: _____/_____/_________
AGENT'S ACCEPTANCE
I, [Agent Full Name], accept my appointment as Agent under this Power of Attorney. I acknowledge that I have a fiduciary duty to act in the Principal's best interest and to exercise the granted powers in good faith, with due care, and in accordance with the Principal's best interests.
AGENT:
Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [Agent Full Name]
Date: _____/_____/_________
WITNESSES
The foregoing Power of Attorney was signed and acknowledged by the Principal in our presence, and we, in the presence of the Principal and each other, have signed our names as witnesses on the date indicated.
WITNESS 1:
Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: _____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
Date: _____/_____/_________
WITNESS 2:
Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: _____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
Date: _____/_____/_________
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
State/Province of: [State/Province]
County of: [County]
On [Date], before me, [Notary Name], personally appeared [Principal Full Name], who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same in his/her authorized capacity, and that by his/her signature on the instrument the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature: _________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _____/_____/_________
[NOTARY SEAL]