Powers of Attorney

General information

A power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you by acting on your behalf. This help can be with your finances and/or health care decisions, for example. Powers of attorney can be written to take effect immediately, or to take effect only when you are unable to manage your affairs.

The laws covering Powers of Attorney can be found in RCW Chapter 11.125.

Certain institutions, such as brokerage firms and other financial institutions, may require that you use a power of attorney form that they provide. They may have particular requirements for the form and may not honor a power of attorney that you do yourself.  

Forms and instructions

Washington LawHelp has forms and instructions to complete a Durable Power of Attorney for finances and/or health care:

There is also a:

If you have a previous power of attorney and you want to revoke it:

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Chapter 4 pertains to Powers of Attorney

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