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.
- What Is a Power of Attorney (POA) from National Council on Aging
- What is a Power of Attorney (POA)? A comprehensive guide from LegalZoom
- Power of Attorney (POA): Meaning, Types, and How and Why to Set One Up from Investopedia.com
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:
- Durable Power of Attorney - printable packet with forms that you can fill out by hand
- Durable Power of Attorney - online interview that can help you fill out the forms
There is also a:
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney (DFPA) interactive interview from Freewill.com
- Special Power of Attorney to allow someone else to buy or sell a house on your behalf from the Washington State Bar Association
If you have a previous power of attorney and you want to revoke it:
- Cancel (revoke) a power of attorney from Washington LawHelp
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Chapter 4 pertains to Powers of Attorney