Protect your family with a durable power of attorney
Protect your family with a durable power of attorney
Nominate a person to make decisions about your financial affairs if you're unable to speak for yourself. For personalized advice, schedule a call with an attorney from our network. Affordable power of attorney packages start at $39.
Basic Power of Attorney
$39
Includes:
Financial power of attorney
Online questions to guide you through the process
Unlimited document revisions for 30 days
Secure online document storage
Premium Power of Attorney
$49
Everything in Basic, plus:
14 days—renews at $25/month*
Fast, clear power of attorney setup. Plan ahead with the #1 online estate plan provider.
When You Need it Done Rights, Go to the Pros!
I had a lot of moving parts in this P.O.A., helping a friend, changing e-mail addresses, phone numbers, etc., and I needed it expedited right away. I spoke to several of your highly skilled staff, and they all came through for this wonderful lady who needed everybody on board, A.K.A. All hands on deck! I want to thank each and every one of you involved. We got it done under the wire, and now she will be able to look after her family properly, as she has always done, but now legally without repercussions or reprisals! ¡Mucho Grassy Ass! William
Fast and easy to use
Fast and easy to use. I had The Power of Attorney paperwork notarized at a bank and they told me this was the most up to date paperwork that they have seen for POA.
I set up my Trust
I set up my Trust, Will, Health Directive, and Power of Attorney all at the same time with their estate plan. Incredibly easy. Of course I had to dig out all the info, but the input was simple and straightforward, and the free consults were priceless. Had I used an attorney alone, it would easily have cost me 3k+. Thanks Legal Zoom!
User-Friendly Will & Estate Plan Process
The process to create a personal Will & Estate Plan, including a power of attorney and advanced medical directive was very user friendly and fast. The signing directions and explanatory documentation was also very helpful. The cost was reasonable and the on-line assistance chat feature allowed for quick resolution of a special request.
Jona was amazing
Jona was amazing! I chatted to find the best way to become power of attorney for my parents and she went above and beyond to help me complete the process. She emailed me her information and was soooo helpful. Above and beyond what I expected but much appreciated.
Incredible Service
I called to ask about cost estimates for Power of Attorney. Sarah McLain was extremely helpful and considerate. She patiently explained the LegalZoom offerings, helped me re-establish my old account, and provided me with the exactly the forms I needed to fill out. She has a wonderful no-pressure disposition and made me feel she truly cared about my situation. Excellent, exceptional person.
Rey was very helpful
Rey was very helpful as I went through the questions to create a power of attorney for my elderly father.
Living Will and Durable POA changes
I need to change the name of the primary contact for both my living will and durable power of attorney. Your representative walked me through the online process in about five minutes.
Tammy is my “go to” contact with all…
Tammy is my “go to” contact with all things Legalzoom. Navigating power of attorney and living trusts for elderly parents is not easy, especially when decisions are now mine. She is so knowledgeable and caring every time I call, and never rushes me when I have questions. I will always use Legalzoom! Thank you again.
Impeccable customer service and great value!
I initially purchased the legal zoom documents for just the basic will and power of attorney at what I thought to be a very fair price although I now do not remember the amount. I called customer service to ask how to make changes. After resetting my forgotten password, I was offered free updates where I completely changed my will and power of attorney and was given several other documents that I hadn't even requested. ALL AT NO CHARGE! I was totally blown away! I did pay $9.99 for an ID card that contained my request not to extend life support under my individual directives, organ-donor, etc. Anyway, how could I not recommend legal zoom? I had called customer support twice with questions.......immediately answered my call and stayed on line until all questions resolved.
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Why use LegalZoom to set up your financial power of attorney?
Feel secure knowing that not only have we helped with estate plans for 25+ years, but all our financial powers of attorney were created by attorneys.
Start your financial power of attorney with LegalZoom in 3 easy steps
Answer questions and choose who'll make
financial decisions when you can't
Why you need a financial power of attorney document
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What is a financial power of attorney?
A financial power of attorney is typically used when the person who created it can no longer manage 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 financial power of attorney?
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.
Power of attorney options
Durable: Helps you manage your estate, legal affairs, or financial transactions and remains in effect if you become incapacitated.
Non-durable: Expires if you become physically or mentally incompetent or incapacitated.
Springing: Allows you to delegate a proxy to help you make decisions if you are ever declared physically or medically incompetent.
Immediate: Lets your agent begin taking actions on your behalf as soon as you sign.
Limited: Places restrictions on what the healthcare proxy can decide for you.
Healthcare or medical: Specifies a healthcare proxy or healthcare agent who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable. Our advance healthcare directive includes a medical power of attorney.
Military: Covers the needs of service members on duty, including paying bills and handling government benefits.
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How to set up a power of attorney
How to choose an attorney-in-fact for a power of attorney document
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?
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What should I ask my potential attorney-in-fact?
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?
What to include in a power of attorney
- 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
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Frequently asked questions
What happens after I order my power of attorney document?
After you complete your purchase, we'll prepare your paperwork. It will typically be available for download within two to three business days. Then, you can review and sign your financial power of attorney.
What is a financial power of attorney?
A financial power of attorney, sometimes called a power of attorney for finances, allows you to appoint a designated attorney-in-fact to transact personal business on your behalf.
Often, a durable financial power of attorney agreement is part of a larger estate plan as just one of a number of estate planning documents.
What does power of attorney give you authority over?
Financial power of attorney agreements grant someone the authority to make decisions around your finances and real estate when you're unable.
What's an attorney-in-fact?
An attorney-in-fact, or “agent,” is a person who has been given authority to act on someone's behalf by a financial power of attorney document. They don't have to be a licensed attorney, but they do have to be over age 18.
What does durable mean on a POA?
A durable POA continues even after someone can no longer make their own decisions, such as if they fall into a coma. A non-durable POA ends when the principal is incapacitated—for example, if the principal falls into a coma, the non-durable POA would end.
What is the best form of power of attorney?
There are several forms of power of attorney. The best power of attorney is the one that works for your unique situation. Perhaps you want someone who could make decisions about a piece of property while you are out of the country for a month, just in case a storm hits. Perhaps you want to give your child’s grandparents access funds to pay for your child’s needs in case of an emergency. Whatever the reason, having a clear point of view about your needs can inform the best power of attorney form for you. LegalZoom's network of attorneys can also help advise you on the best form of power of attorney to meet your needs.
Should I set limits on my power of attorney?
How much power the financial power of attorney has depends on your trust, comfort level, and needs. You might consider whether your agent could profit from completing financial transactions on your behalf, and restrict those, for example. Any powers you want to limit, for any reason, are at your discretion.
What does power of attorney mean in regards to the IRS and form 2848?
Power of attorney before the IRS means you have given someone who is authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service the authority to represent you in tax matters—for example, they can file federal taxes for you. While an attorney-in-fact usually doesn't have to be a lawyer, an attorney-in-fact representing the principal before the Internal Revenue Service does have to be licensed to do so.
Should multiple names of attorneys-in-fact be added to a power of attorney?
It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case one of your attorneys-in-fact cannot act.
Naming successor or alternate attorneys-in-fact is important—if you don't name someone in the document, the court will appoint one. In addition to naming successors, you can also name co-attorneys-in-fact. When one co-agent is unable to act, the remaining one typically takes over. Co-attorneys-in-fact usually need to agree on all decisions, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the circumstances.
Consulting with an attorney on these issues can be very helpful.
Can I change a power of attorney after it has been signed, or notarized?
Yes. As long as you have the legal capacity to sign, you can amend a power of attorney, or revoke it and create a new one. Be sure to consult your state's rules for the signing requirements for an amendment or revocation. Our power of attorney packages include unlimited revisions for 30 days. If you’d like to revise after 30 days, you can purchase additional revisions or subscribe to our legal plan, which includes unlimited revisions for one year.
What happens when the principal no longer has capacity?
If the principal no longer has the capacity, they can no longer amend or revoke the power of attorney agreement and most likely cannot make any financial decisions. The power of attorney itself will dictate who is next in line to take over the principal's financial affairs and when this can happen—for example, once there’s a doctor's letter proving the principal is incapacitated.
What are the limits of a power of attorney?
The power of attorney ends if the principal dies, whether the agreement is durable or not. Some power of attorneys are already limited by design. For example, a power of attorney may grant an attorney-in-fact the power to make real estate decisions, but not grant them financial powers. Those decisions are made by the principal when the form is created.
If I move to a new state, do I need a new power of attorney?
Most states recognize powers of attorney signed in other states. But it may be a good idea to get a new one when you move. Check with an attorney from our network to get advice on your specific situation.
What's the difference between a healthcare POA, a medical POA, a healthcare proxy, and a living will?
These are all legal documents that deal with healthcare issues—not finances, as the financial power of attorney does.
A healthcare POA and a medical POA both refer to documents where someone gives an attorney-in-fact the power to make medical decisions on their behalf should they become medically incapacitated and unable to make healthcare decisions. A healthcare proxy is another name for an attorney-in-fact.
A living will is a document that typically includes your end-of-life health care wishes. At LegalZoom, our advance healthcare directive includes a living will and a healthcare POA.
Do I have to file a signed power of attorney anywhere?
The answer depends on your state, and what the power of attorney covers. For example, if the power of attorney covers property, state law may require that power of attorney be filed with the local government office that oversees property in the county of the property mentioned in the power of attorney.
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What our customers are saying
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