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General Power of Attorney
I, the Principal named below, appoint the Agent named below to act for me and in my name, in any lawful way, for the matters I have initialed below. This document does not authorize health care decisions.
Principal & Agent
Principal
Principal Phone
Principal Address
Agent
Agent Phone
Agent Address
Successor Agent
Powers Granted — Principal initials each power granted
Initials
Subject Area
Initials
Subject Area
Special Instructions or Limits
Effective Date & Duration
Effective
Durable
Ends On
Principal Signature
Date
Witness 1 (if required)
Witness 2
Notary Acknowledgment
State of ________________ County of ________________ On ______________, before me, the undersigned notary, personally appeared ____________________, proved to me on satisfactory evidence to be the person who signed above, and acknowledged signing it voluntarily.
Notary Signature
Commission Expires
※ Not legal advice. Power of attorney rules — required wording, witnesses, notarization and statutory forms — differ by state, and banks may require their own forms. Check your state’s requirements; real estate powers may need to be recorded with the county.
How to fill out a General Power of Attorney
Free General Power of Attorney template
A general power of attorney lets you (the principal) name an agent to handle financial and legal matters for you, such as banking, property, taxes and benefits. You initial each power you grant and choose whether it starts now or only if you become incapacitated, and whether it is durable.
How to fill it out
Enter the principal’s and agent’s names and addresses, and a successor agent if you want one.
Initial each power you want to grant.
Add any limits or instructions.
Choose when it takes effect and whether it is durable.
Sign in front of a notary, with witnesses if your state requires them.
Tips
Choose an agent you trust completely.
Check whether your state has a required statutory form.
Give copies to your agent and bank.
Revoke it in writing if you change your mind.
General Power of Attorney example
Principal & Agent
Principal
Robert James Miller
Principal Phone
(555) 321-7788
Principal Address
45 Elm St, Springfield, IL 62701
Agent
Susan Miller Carter
Agent Phone
(555) 321-9900 · daughter
Agent Address
12 Birch Ln, Chatham, IL 62629
Successor Agent
Mark Miller, 300 Lake Dr, Naperville, IL 60540
Special Instructions or Limits
No sale of my home at 45 Elm St without my successor agent’s written consent. No compensation.
Effective Date & Duration
Effective
Immediately when signed
Durable
Yes — continues if I become incapacitated
Ends On
When revoked in writing or at my death
All names, companies and contact details are fictional. Click “Fill sample” above to put this example into the empty fields; click again to remove the parts you did not change.
FAQ
What is a durable power of attorney?
One that stays in effect if you become incapacitated. In states that follow the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, a power of attorney is durable unless it says otherwise; elsewhere it must say so (for example, "This power of attorney shall not be affected by the subsequent incapacity of the principal"). Check your state's rules.
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized?
In most states, yes, and some also need witnesses. Real estate powers may need to be recorded.
Does it cover medical decisions?
No. Use a health care power of attorney or advance directive for medical decisions.
