Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Power of Attorney

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

STATUTORY FORM POWER OF ATTORNEY:
General, Limited, or Durable

(AS 13.26.332)

THE POWERS GRANTED FROM THE PRINCIPAL TO THE AGENT OR AGENTS IN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT ARE VERY BROAD. THEY MAY INCLUDE THE POWER TO DISPOSE, SELL, CONVEY, AND ENCUMBER YOUR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. ACCORDINGLY, THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT SHOULD ONLY BE USED AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT, YOU SHOULD SEEK COMPETENT ADVICE. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY AT ANY TIME.

Pursuant to AS 13.26.338 - 13.26.353, I, (Name of principal),

of (Address of principal), do hereby appoint

(Name and address of agent or agents), my attorney(s)-in-fact to act as I have checked below in my name, place, and stead in any way which I myself could do, if I were personally present, with respect to the following matters, as each of them is defined in AS 13.26.344, to the full extent that I am permitted by law to act through an agent:

THE AGENT OR AGENTS YOU HAVE APPOINTED WILL HAVE ALL THE POWERS LISTED BELOW UNLESS YOU DRAW A LINE THROUGH A CATEGORY; AND INITIAL THE BOX OPPOSITE THAT CATEGORY

(A) real estate transactions ( )

(B) transactions involving tangible personal property, chattels, and goods ( )

(C) bonds, shares, and commodities transactions ( )

(D) banking transactions ( )

(E) business operating transactions ( )

(F) insurance transactions ( )

(G) estate transactions ( )

(H) gift transactions ( )

(I) claims and litigation ( )

(J) personal relationships and affairs ( )

(K) benefits from government programs and military service ( )

(L) records, reports, and statements ( )

(M) delegation ( )

(N) voter registration and absentee ballot requests ( )

(O) all other matters, including those specified as follows: ( )

IF YOU HAVE APPOINTED MORE THAN ONE AGENT, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

( ) Each agent may exercise the powers conferred separately, without the consent of any other agent.

( ) All agents shall exercise the powers conferred jointly, with the consent of all other agents.

TO INDICATE WHEN THIS DOCUMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

( ) This document shall become effective upon the date of my signature.

( ) This document shall become effective upon the date of my disability and shall not otherwise be affected by my disability.

IF YOU HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS DOCUMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THE DATE OF YOUR SIGNATURE, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

( ) This document shall not be affected by my subsequent disability.

( ) This document shall be revoked by my subsequent disability.

IF YOU HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS DOCUMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE DATE OF YOUR SIGNATURE AND WANT TO LIMIT THE TERM OF THIS DOCUMENT, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

This document shall only continue in effect for ( ) years from the date of my signature.

NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF THE POWERS GRANTED IN THIS DOCUMENT:

You may revoke one or more of the powers granted in this document. Unless otherwise provided in this document, you may revoke a specific power granted in this power of attorney by completing a special power of attorney that includes the specific power in this document that you want to revoke. Unless otherwise provided in this document, you may revoke all the powers granted in this power of attorney by completing a subsequent power of attorney.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTIES

A third party who relies on the reasonable representations of an attorney-in-fact as to a matter relating to a power granted by a properly executed statutory power of attorney does not incur any liability to the principal or to the principal's heirs, assigns, or estate as a result of permitting the attorney-in-fact to exercise the authority granted by the power of attorney. A third party who fails to honor a properly executed statutory form power of attorney may be liable to the principal, the attorney-in-fact, the principal's heirs, assigns, or estate for a civil penalty, plus damages, costs, and fees associated with the failure to comply with the statutory form power of attorney. If the power of attorney is one which becomes effective upon the disability of the principal, the disability of the principal is established by an affidavit, as required by law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name this day of

20

Signature of Principal

Acknowledged before me at on

Signature of Officer or Notary

Additional optional provisions to statutory form power of attorney

Each of the following provisions may be included in a statutory form power of attorney:

(1) YOU MAY DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. ANY ALTERNATE YOU DESIGNATE WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE SAME POWERS AS THE AGENT(S) YOU NAMED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DOCUMENT. IF YOU WISH TO DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE OR ALTERNATES, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

If the agent(s) named at the beginning of this document is unable or unwilling to serve or continue to serve, then I appoint the following agent to serve with the same powers:

First alternate or successor attorney-in-fact

(Name and address of alternate)

Second alternate or successor attorney-in-fact

(Name and address of alternate)

(2) YOU MAY NOMINATE A GUARDIAN OR CONSERVATOR. IF YOU WISH TO NOMINATE A GUARDIAN OR CONSERVATOR, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

In the event that a court decides that it is necessary to appoint a guardian or conservator for me, I hereby nominate ( Name and address of person nominated ) to be considered by the court for appointment to serve as my guardian or conservator, or in any similar representative capacity.

Enter text

What a Power of Attorney Is and when it matters

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document in which one person (the principal) grants another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) authority to act on their behalf for specified matters. POAs can be broad or limited, durable or non-durable, and may take effect immediately or upon a triggering event. Durable POAs survive the principal’s incapacity if drafted with durable language. Because POAs transfer decision-making authority, accuracy, signer intent, notarization, and correct witnessing are essential to ensure enforceability and to reduce the risk of disputes or third-party rejection.

Why a well-drafted Power of Attorney matters

A clear POA preserves continuity for financial, healthcare, or legal decision-making when a principal cannot act. It reduces administrative delays, clarifies the agent’s scope, and provides evidence of authority for banks, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

Why a well-drafted Power of Attorney matters

Who typically creates and relies on a Power of Attorney

The POA is used by individuals and organizations to delegate authority for financial, medical, or legal actions when immediate or future incapacity is possible.

  • Elderly individuals managing retirement accounts, mortgage payments, and healthcare proxies
  • Caregivers or family members appointed to make decisions during medical emergencies
  • Businesses appointing officers to sign contracts, tax forms, or banking transactions

Choose the POA type and execution method that match the risk, the institutions involved, and the governing state law to ensure acceptance and enforceability.

Principal and agent roles

Principal

The person granting authority. Provide full legal name, date of birth, and current address exactly as on government ID. Errors or name mismatches can lead institutions to refuse the document or require re-execution.

Agent

The person receiving authority. Identify with full legal name, contact details, and any successor agents. Specify limits and fiduciary duties to reduce ambiguity and potential liability for the agent.

Core parts that every professional Power of Attorney should include

A comprehensive POA sets out scope, duration, effective date, special instructions, successor agents, and governing law. Clear structure minimizes third-party rejection and helps courts interpret intent if contested.

Scope of Authority

List specific powers (banking, real estate, tax matters, healthcare proxy if included) and any express exclusions to prevent overreach and create clear limits for third parties.

Durability Clause

State whether authority continues after the principal’s incapacity. Use explicit durable language to be effective under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act where adopted.

Effective Date

Specify whether the POA is effective immediately or upon a triggering event (e.g., physician certification of incapacity), and provide the precise activation procedure.

Successor Agents

Name alternate agents and the order of succession to ensure uninterrupted authority if the primary agent is unavailable or unwilling to serve.

Revocation and Termination

Include how the principal may revoke the POA, notice requirements to third parties, and events that end the authority to avoid post-termination disputes.

Governing Law

Designate the state law that will interpret the POA; choose the principal’s residence state unless specific jurisdictions or institutions require otherwise.

Essential information to include on the form

Principal name: Full legal name
Agent name: Full legal name
Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP
Effective date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Scope summary: Concise list of powers
Execution details: Signatures, date, notary/witness

Step-by-step: completing and executing a Power of Attorney

Follow a clear sequence to prepare, verify, execute, and distribute the POA so institutions accept it and the agent can act without delay.

  • 01
    Prepare document: Select the correct POA type and draft specific powers.
  • 02
    Confirm identities: Verify principal and agent IDs before signing.
  • 03
    Notarize and witness: Execute with required notary and witness presence per state law.
  • 04
    Distribute copies: Deliver certified copies to institutions and retain originals.

Configuring an online workflow for a Power of Attorney

When using an electronic platform, set fields, signer order, and authentication to match legal and institutional acceptance requirements.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email + SMS code or stronger
Notary / RON Enable remote notary session capture
Conditional Fields Show witness lines only where required
Audit Trail Capture IP, timestamps, and signer events

Technical and platform requirements for eSigning a POA

Electronic execution must meet identity, audit, and retention standards to be accepted by banks, healthcare providers, and courts.

  • Identity proofing: Use multi-factor or credential analysis where required
  • Audit trail: Record timestamps, IP, and signer actions
  • Document formats: Use PDF or DOCX compatible with institutional review

Choose an eSignature solution that supports notarization workflows, secure retention, and produces an immutable audit history acceptable to third parties.

Typical eSigning flow for a Power of Attorney

A standard online signing workflow guides the sender through upload, field placement, signer authentication, signing, and secure delivery of the executed POA.

  • Upload document: Add the POA file (PDF or DOCX).
  • Place fields: Insert signature, date, and notary fields.
  • Send to signer: Notify principal and witness or notary.
  • Receive completed: Signed PDF with audit trail returned.

Timing considerations and typical deadlines

POAs usually do not have federal filing deadlines, but timing matters for activation, notarization, and financial institution acceptance.

Execution timing:

Execute the POA before incapacity to avoid proving competence.

Notarization window:

Notarize at signing; some RON sessions record audio-video retention requirements.

Institution acceptance:

Banks may require original or certified copy before agent acts.

Revocation notice:

Deliver written revocation immediately to institutions to terminate agent authority.

Record retention:

Keep executed original for the POA’s full term plus recommended retention period.

Key processing milestones from draft to use

Use these sequential milestones to ensure a POA is valid, notarized, and recognized by third parties.

01

Draft and review

Draft precise powers and have counsel review if complex.

02

Execution & notarization

Sign in presence of required witnesses and a notary, or use permitted RON procedures.

03

Delivery to institutions

Provide originals or certified copies to banks, insurers, and healthcare providers.

04

Recordkeeping

Retain the original and maintain secure copies with an audit trail.

Real-world examples of POA use in practice

These brief examples show how organizations and individuals rely on POAs to keep operations running and decisions clear when principals cannot act.

Tim Martin — Real Estate

A property manager needed signatory authority for closings and vendor payments

  • POA enabled local staff to sign closing documents when the owner was unavailable
  • The firm retained notarized originals and provided certified copies to title companies to avoid closing delays and lender issues.

John Butler — Healthcare Center

A clinic required authority to obtain medical records and execute enrollment forms

  • A narrow healthcare POA with HIPAA authorization was executed
  • The POA and authorization allowed timely access to records while preserving patient privacy safeguards and retention of audit logs.

Common mistakes that cause POAs to be rejected or contested

  • Using vague language for powers granted, which leads institutions to refuse reliance and increases litigation risk.
  • Failing to notarize or provide required witnesses under state law, causing banks or registries to decline the document.
  • Submitting photocopies when originals or certified copies are required, delaying agent ability to act.
  • Mismatching names or dates against identification documents, triggering additional verification or rejection.

Principal legal risks and consequences of an incorrect POA

Invalid authority: Agent acts may be voided
Civil liability: Agent may face breach or fiduciary suits
Institution refusal: Banks may require re-execution
Tax exposure: Incorrect tax filings can cause IRS penalties
Criminal risk: Fraudulent acts can trigger prosecution
Recordkeeping: Failure to retain originals complicates audits

Selected eSignature vendor comparison for executing POAs (signNow listed first)

The table highlights starting prices and common capabilities for popular eSignature vendors relevant to POA execution and notarization workflows.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Common questions about executing and using a Power of Attorney

Answers to frequent practical and legal questions about POA execution, eSigning, notarization, and revocation to reduce common errors.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users