A will protects your family after you die. A power of attorney protects YOU while you're still alive. If you have a stroke, a car accident, or dementia — and you can't speak, sign documents, or make decisions — someone needs legal authority to act on your behalf.
Without a POA, your family goes to court. With one, they step in immediately.
This page gives you both templates: financial POA (who handles your money) and healthcare POA (who makes medical decisions). Print them, fill them in, and get them notarized. 30 minutes total.
The Two Types — Explained Simply
Financial Power of Attorney
Gives someone legal authority to manage your MONEY and PROPERTY if you can't.
What they can do:
- Pay your bills
- Access your bank accounts
- File your taxes
- Manage investments
- Sell property
- Apply for benefits (Social Security, VA, Medicaid)
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Gives someone legal authority to make MEDICAL DECISIONS if you can't speak for yourself.
What they can do:
- Approve or refuse medical treatments
- Choose doctors and hospitals
- Access your medical records
- Make end-of-life decisions (life support, DNR, comfort care)
- Consent to surgery
"You need BOTH. Financial POA handles your money. Healthcare POA handles your body. They can name the same person or different people."
Picking the Right Person — The Most Important Decision
For financial POA — choose someone who is:
- Trustworthy with money (this is non-negotiable — they'll have access to everything)
- Organized and detail-oriented (bill-paying, tax filing, record-keeping)
- Available and willing (it's real work — ask before naming someone)
- Local or willing to handle things remotely (some tasks require physical presence)
Red flags: Anyone with their own financial problems, gambling issues, addiction, or a history of taking advantage of others. A POA is enormous power — don't give it to someone who can't handle their own affairs.
For healthcare POA — choose someone who is:
- Willing to make hard decisions under pressure (life support, surgery, comfort care)
- Able to follow YOUR wishes — even if they disagree personally
- Available to get to the hospital quickly if needed
- Emotionally capable of making end-of-life decisions
The most common mistake: Naming a spouse for both. This works — until the spouse is in the same accident, has their own health crisis, or is too emotionally overwhelmed to act. Always name a backup (alternate agent) for both.
Can I name the same person for both? Yes. Most people name their spouse as primary agent for both, with an adult child or sibling as backup.
Make Sure Your POA Survives Incapacity
Your POA MUST be "durable" — or it's useless when you need it most.
- Durable POA: Remains in effect if you become incapacitated (stroke, coma, dementia). THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT.
- Non-durable POA: Automatically terminates if you become incapacitated. Useless for the exact situation you're planning for.
Both templates below are DURABLE. If you use a different template or service, verify it includes durable language. Without the word "durable," your POA dies the moment you need it.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney — Fill-in-the-Blank
DURABLE FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, ("Principal"),
residing at ,
City: State: ZIP:
do hereby appoint:
PRIMARY AGENT:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
ALTERNATE AGENT (if primary is unable or unwilling to serve):
Name:
Address:
Phone:
as my Agent (Attorney-in-Fact) to act on my behalf in financial matters.
POWERS GRANTED
I grant my Agent the following powers (check all that apply):
DURABILITY CLAUSE
This Power of Attorney shall NOT be affected by my subsequent disability or incapacity. It shall remain in full force and effect until I revoke it in writing or until my death.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Power of Attorney is effective:
SIGNATURE
Signed on (date)
(Your signature)
(Your printed name)
WITNESSES
Witness 1:
Signature:
Printed Name:
Address:
Witness 2:
Signature:
Printed Name:
Address:
NOTARIZATION (Required in most states for financial POA)
State of County of
On this day of , 20 , before me personally appeared , known to me to be the Principal, who executed the foregoing Power of Attorney in my presence.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney — Fill-in-the-Blank
DURABLE HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
(Medical Power of Attorney / Healthcare Proxy)
I, ("Principal"),
residing at ,
City: State: ZIP:
do hereby appoint:
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE AGENT:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
ALTERNATE HEALTHCARE AGENT:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
as my Healthcare Agent to make medical decisions on my behalf when I am unable to make or communicate my own decisions.
POWERS GRANTED
My Healthcare Agent shall have the authority to:
MY WISHES REGARDING END-OF-LIFE CARE
If I have a terminal condition with no reasonable hope of recovery:
Regarding artificial nutrition and hydration (feeding tube):
Regarding CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation):
Additional instructions:
DURABILITY CLAUSE
This Healthcare Power of Attorney shall remain in effect during any period of my incapacity. It shall remain in full force and effect until I revoke it in writing.
SIGNATURE
Signed on (date)
(Your signature)
(Your printed name)
WITNESSES
Witness 1:
Signature:
Printed Name:
Address:
Witness 2:
Signature:
Printed Name:
Address:
NOTARIZATION (Recommended)
State of County of
On this day of , 20 , before me personally appeared , known to me to be the Principal, who executed the foregoing Healthcare Power of Attorney in my presence.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: These templates are for educational purposes only. This is NOT legal advice. Power of attorney laws vary significantly by state. These templates may not meet your state's specific requirements. We strongly recommend using a state-specific online service or consulting with an estate planning attorney. wvfuneralboard.com is not a law firm.
Signing Rules — Don't Skip Any Step
Sign both documents in front of 2 witnesses + a notary.
Financial POA REQUIRES notarization in most states. Healthcare POA requirements vary — but notarization is always recommended.
Witnesses should NOT be your named agents.
Choose disinterested parties: neighbors, coworkers, church members.
Give copies to your agents.
Your primary agent and alternate agent should each have a copy. They need it to prove their authority at banks, hospitals, and government offices.
Give a copy to your doctor.
For the healthcare POA specifically, your doctor's office should have a copy on file. If you're rushed to the ER, the hospital contacts your doctor — who provides the document.
Keep originals in a known, accessible location.
NOT a safe deposit box. A fireproof home safe, your attorney's office, or your planning binder. Your agent needs access within HOURS of an emergency — not weeks.
Banks may want their OWN POA form.
Some banks don't accept generic POA documents. Ask your bank if they have their own form. Complete their form IN ADDITION to the general POA — not instead of it.
Why a $69 Online Service Beats a Generic Template
| Feature | These Free Templates | Trust & Will ($69) |
|---|---|---|
| State-specific language | ❌ Generic | ✅ Customized to your state |
| Financial POA | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Healthcare POA | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Will included | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — all 3 documents |
| Guided questionnaire | ❌ Fill-in-blank | ✅ Answers questions, generates docs |
| Signing instructions | ⚠️ General | ✅ State-specific |
| Attorney review | ❌ No | ⚠️ Available at LegalZoom |
"For $69, Trust & Will gives you a will + financial POA + healthcare POA — all state-specific. That's all three documents most people need, done in one sitting."
🥇 Our Top Pick
Trust & Will — $69
Will + Financial POA + Healthcare POA · State-specific
Get All 3 DocumentsAffiliate link · We may earn a commission
If you only need POA and already have a will, some online services sell POA separately for $30-$50.
Your POA Isn't Permanent — Update It
Update or revoke your POA when:
- You divorce (your ex-spouse should NOT remain your agent)
- Your named agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or becomes untrustworthy
- You move to a different state (state laws differ — your POA may need updating)
- Your wishes change (especially end-of-life preferences on the healthcare POA)
- Every 5-7 years as a routine review (some institutions question very old POA documents)
How to revoke: Create a written revocation stating you revoke the previous POA, sign it, and notify your former agent, banks, doctors, and anyone who has a copy. Then create a new POA naming your new agent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Find Helpful:
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Everything you need to get your affairs in order — wills, trusts, power of attorney, and more.
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