What’s a Power of Attorney
A legal document that gives one person the authority to act on behalf of another
Customizable to fit your needs — can cover medical or financial decisions, or both
Easy to complete a legally binding Power of Attorney in just minutes with Duckpins
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants one person the legal authority to act on behalf of another. It’s the legal way of saying, “If I’m ever in a situation where I’m unable to make a choice for myself, here’s who I trust to make it for me.”
Putting a legally binding Power of Attorney in place helps you remove the uncertainty and pain from some of life’s more unexpected moments. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent, just tied the knot, or recently welcomed a child into your family, creating a Power of Attorney can help you enjoy peace of mind.
The authority you grant in your Power of Attorney document can either be general in scope, with broad power, or specific, limited to medical decisions or financial matters. You can designate a single individual or different people to act on your behalf.
Powers of Attorney
There are several types of powers of attorney. Choosing the right one (or a combination of them) allows you to customize who’s responsible for what in the event that decision-making needs to be outsourced.
A general Power of Attorney is typically created in the moment it’s needed, takes immediate effect, and provides one person (the agent) broad authority to act on behalf of another, including financial, legal, business, and personal affairs. This option often isn’t ideal since you don’t have the luxury to think and plan at your own pace.
Authorizes one person (the agent) to make medical and healthcare decisions on behalf of someone else (the principal) if they are unable to do so. This includes making choices about medications, surgeries, and potentially life-saving medical procedures. A medical Power of Attorney often includes an advanced directive, or living will, that outlines specific preferences for medical care.
Authorizes one person (the agent) to manage the financial affairs of another (the principal). Responsibilities outlined under a financial Power of Attorney can include managing bank accounts and paying bills, handling investments, filing taxes, or running a business.
Useful for long-term planning, this type of Power of Attorney remains in effect even if the principal becomes mentally or physically incapacitated. It ensures someone trusted can manage affairs if the principal is unable to do so due to illness or injury.
This type of Power of Attorney only takes effect upon the occurrence of a specific event, which causes the Power of Attorney to "spring" into action. This can be beneficial for those who want an added layer of control over when the Power of Attorney becomes active.
Typically created to give one person (the agent) the authority to act on behalf of another (the principal) regarding a specific matter, like handling a real estate transaction, managing a bank account, or signing specific documents. This Power of Attorney often expires once the task is completed.
Because a Power of Attorney is a legal document, it includes a lot of legal language. If the “lawyer speak” has you scratching your head, we’re here to help. Here are some of the most common terms you’ll encounter and the plain English translation of what they mean.
A legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment should you become unable to make or communicate those decisions. In Washington state, there are two types of advance directives: a durable Power of Attorney for health care and a health care directive.
This is you — the person who creates the Power of Attorney, deciding who will represent them and what powers that person will have.
The person you’re authorizing to act on your behalf. Depending on the type of POA, the agent may be authorized to make medical, financial, or legal matters.
What the agent is legally allowed to do, as outlined in the Power of Attorney.
Your backup in case something happens and the “agent” is unable to fulfill their duties.
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