Protect your finances with a power of attorney

Nominate a person to make decisions about your financial affairs if you're unable to speak for yourself. Schedule a call with an attorney from our network for advice. Power of attorney plans start at $35.

Black man wearing a yellow shirt sitting next to a blonde woman in a green smock smiling looking down at their newborn baby before setting up Power of Attorney with LegalZoom.

Why use LegalZoom to set up your power of attorney?

Convenient

Create and complete your power of attorney document from the comfort of your own home.

Attorney-supported

Access affordable guidance from highly-rated, vetted attorneys from our network.

Fast & easy

Finish our power of attorney questionnaire in less than 15 minutes.

Priced according to your needs

Do it yourself

Basic
Power of Attorney

$35

Get a personalized power of attorney document using our online questionnaire.

Get started

Attorney Assist

Carolyn, 4.8/5 star rating

Comprehensive
Power of Attorney

$45

Get a power of attorney—plus, legal advice for 2 weeks after purchase.

Get started

Attorney Assist

Carolyn, 4.8/5 star rating
BEST VALUE

Estate Plan
Bundle

$249

Save $100+

Get 3 essential estate planning documents, including power of attorney—plus, legal advice for 1 year.

Get started
South Asian man with a beard and glassed sitting on pink sofa wearing jeans and checkered shirt setting up his LegalZoom power of attorney on his laptop.

How to start your power of attorney with LegalZoom in 3 easy steps

Answer some questions

Provide information about yourself and choose a person you trust to be your agent.

We'll create your power of attorney form

We'll complete your legally-binding document using your answers.

Review with an attorney or on your own

Check your power of attorney document with an attorney or review it online.
See examples of durable

Why you need a durable power of attorney document

Details your wishes

Ensure that a trusted person, called an attorney-in-fact, is ready to handle your financial matters if you’re incapacitated.

Provides peace of mind

Know you’re covered when can’t be present to sign important documents—for example, if you’re deployed, traveling abroad, or hospitalized.

Empowers your loved ones

Allow your loved ones to take care of your finances without having to deal with court proceedings—no matter where you are or whether you can speak.

Asian woman wearing a black t-shirt, ear buds and fitness tracker is out for a run after setting up her power of attorney with LegalZoom.

What is a power of attorney?

A durable power of attorney document is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial affairs. A power of attorney is an important part of any estate plan.

A power of attorney is typically used when the person who created it can no longer manager their affairs. This is generally due to a medical issue, aging, a disability, or simply being away for an extended period of time.

Who is involved with a power of attorney?

Principal: Person who created the power of attorney, who must be over 18.
Attorney-in-fact: A trusted designee named in the power of attorney who has the authority to act on someone's behalf. The attorney-in-fact typically cannot act unless the principal has been deemed incapacitated by a doctor.
Notary public: Depending on state law and specific government agency requirements, the principal may need to have a notary public sign the power of attorney.
Latino man with dark hair and beard wearing long sleeved navy blue shirt smiling with a dark haired little girl wearing a tiger striped long sleeved shirt on his shoulders. Happy that he was able to create power of attorney with LegalZoom.

Types of power of attorney

There are many types of power of attorney that cover different needs. At LegalZoom, we offer one of the most common—a financial power of attorney. Here are some of the top types:
Financial POA: Empowers an agent to help you manage your financial affairs such as your investments and real estate property.
Durable POA: Remains in effect if you become incapacitated.
Non-durable POA: Expires if you become physically or mentally incompetent or incapacitated.
Springing POA: Springs into effect when a particular event happens—such as a doctor declaring you incapacitated.
Limited POA: Authorizes the agent to act for only a limited time period and/or limits their powers.
Health Care or Medical POA: Specifies a health care proxy or health care agent who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable.
Military POA: Covers the needs of service members on duty, including paying bills and handling government benefits.

How to set up a power of attorney

  • Choose the power of attorney form that meets your needs.
  • Select an attorney-in-fact and discuss their responsibilities.
  • Create your power of attorney, consulting with an attorney as needed.
  • Ensure you sign the power of attorney according to your state's laws.
  • Update your power of attorney following any life changes.
Brunette man sitting at his kitchen island in front of his laptop drinking coffee and smiling because he just finished creating his Power of Attorney with LegalZoom.

How to choose an attorney-in-fact for a power of attorney document

Your attorney-in-fact will be responsible for important decisions while you're alive. It's important that you choose someone who has your best interests at heart and is responsible, trustworthy, and a strong communicator as your attorney-in-fact for a power of attorney agreement. For many people, this person is a trusted family member, like a parent or adult child, or close family friend.
Trust your attorney-in-fact
Your attorney-in-fact will have access to your bank accounts at all of your financial institutions. They'll be able to pay bills, handle a mortgage, pay taxes, and access your safe deposit box—make sure you trust the person you pick.
Avoid disputes
Be aware that if you choose a single family member, disputes may arise. On the other hand, if you select more than one person, it may take longer for them to agree on a decision.

What should I consider before appointing my attorney-in-fact?

  • Are they reliable?
  • Do they have time?
  • Are they detail-oriented?
  • Are they a good communicator?
  • Will they work well with my spouse?
  • Do they care enough about me to make good decisions?
  • If I’m incapacitated, will they be too grief stricken to take action?
Older couple  walking through a park on a fall day. Man in white sweater, jeans and as scarf has his arm around the shoulders of a gray haired woman wearing a scarf, poncho, jeans and knee high boots talking about setting up their power of attorney with LegalZoom.

What should I ask my potential attorney-in-fact?

The attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary, which means they must act responsibly and in a way that is fair to the person whose affairs they are managing—in this case, you.

Here are some questions you can ask your attorney-in-fact to ensure they're up for the job:
  • Do you have any questions about what your responsibilities might be?
  • Do you have concerns about taking on any of these duties?
  • Do you have time in your schedule to fulfill these responsibilities?
  • If something happens to me, will you be able to focus on the tasks you need to complete, or will you be overwhelmed by emotion?
  • Do you have any concerns about potentially managing my money and bills and your own simultaneously?

How do I update my power of attorney?

You (the principal) can amend your power of attorney, or revoke it and sign a new one. Be sure to check your state's requirements before you make any of these updates.
Man and woman both wearing jeans and snuggled into blankets sitting in the open trunk of their car on a mountain side looking at the sunset while talking about getting power of attorney with LegalZoom.

What to include in a power of attorney

Your power of attorney form should include these essentials:
  • Date you created the power of attorney
  • Start date and/or expiration date, if applicable
  • Your name and your chosen agent's name and your addresses
  • Scope of the attorney-in-fact's authority
  • Whether your power of attorney has durable power
  • Any specific wishes for your agent
  • Your signature, as well as any required notary or witness signatures

Frequently asked questions

Ready to start your power of attorney?

Select my plan

What our customers are saying

I didn't just get a POA. I got instructions, information ... That was a pleasant surprise. Great service.
Jacqueline L., power of attorney customer
I am now a firm believer of LegalZoom. What I thought would be ... complicated ... was ... easy to ... navigate.
Angela D., power of attorney customer
Our family needed a power of attorney document on short notice and LegalZoom was able to deliver. They expedited it ...
Tommie H., power of attorney customer

Questions?

Ask an attorney

Get the right guidance with an attorney by your side.

Call an agent at (866) 679-1568

Mon–Fri: 5 a.m.–7 p.m. PT
Weekends: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. PT

#1 choice for online estate plans: Based on a February 2021 survey of consumers who used an online legal service for setting up an estate plan.
#1 brand for online estate plans: Based on responses to a February 2021 survey asking consumers about brand awareness for online legal services for estate planning. The survey was completed by consumers that had previously done estate planning or intended to do estate planning.
† Telephone consultations with a participating firm, during normal business hours, of up to one half (1/2) hour each, limited to one consultation for each new legal matter. Excludes business-related matters. Limit one Legal Assist Plan per estate plan. After the 14-day period, your card will automatically be charged $25 and the Legal Assist Plan renews automatically each month at a rate of $25/month. Renewal rate is subject to change. You can cancel online or by calling. Attorney services are fulfilled through Legal Advantage Plus. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Subscription Terms.
‡ Telephone consultations with a participating firm, during normal business hours, of up to one half (1/2) hour each, limited to one consultation for each new legal matter. Excludes business-related matters. Limit one Legal Assist Plan per estate plan. Benefits to the Legal Assist Plan continue automatically for $199 per year. You can cancel online or by calling. Attorney services are fulfilled through Legal Advantage Plus. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Subscription Terms.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: Attorneys advertised on this site are independent attorneys. in your area who's responsible for this advertisement. LegalZoom.com, Inc. is not an "attorney referral service" or a law firm. The information you provide to LegalZoom is not protected by attorney-client privilege. about this advertisement if you live in Alabama, Missouri, or New York.