Durable power of attorney form: free to fill in and download in Word

Reviewed in October 2026

A durable power of attorney is a power of attorney that stays in effect if you lose the capacity to make decisions. It lets your agent keep paying bills, managing accounts and handling property without a court guardianship. It can start right away or only when you become incapacitated.

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The full durable power of attorney

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

For financial matters

I, [principal full name], of [address] (the "Principal"), appoint [agent full name], of [address], phone [phone] (the "Agent"), as my attorney-in-fact to act for me as stated below.

1. Powers granted

The Agent may act for me in the following matters [initial each one you grant]: ___ banking and financial accounts · ___ real estate · ___ personal property and vehicles · ___ tax matters · ___ government benefits · ___ insurance and annuities · ___ retirement plans · ___ business operations · ___ claims and litigation · ___ ALL of the matters listed.

2. Special instructions

[Limits or instructions, for example: The Agent may not sell my home at address.]

3. Gifts and changes to beneficiaries

The Agent may not make gifts, create or change trusts, or change beneficiary designations unless I initial here: ___ and describe the limits: [limits].

4. Successor agent

If the Agent cannot or will not act, I appoint [successor full name], of [address], as successor agent with the same powers.

5. When it starts and ends

This power of attorney is DURABLE. It is not affected by my later incapacity. It is effective [immediately / only when a licensed physician certifies in writing that I am unable to manage my financial affairs].

It ends when I revoke it or at my death.

6. Agent’s duties

The Agent will act in good faith, within the powers granted, in my best interest and according to my known wishes. The Agent will keep my property separate from the Agent’s own, keep records of all transactions and not profit from acting for me except for reasonable compensation of [amount / none].

7. Reliance by third parties

Any person who receives a copy of this document may rely on it until they receive actual notice that it has been revoked.

8. Governing law

This power of attorney is governed by the laws of [state].

I sign this power of attorney on [date].

PRINCIPAL

Signature: ______________________

Name: [full name]

Date: [date]

AGENT’S ACCEPTANCE

I accept this appointment and the duties above.

Signature: ______________________

Name: [agent full name]

Date: [date]

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of [state] ) County of [county] )

On [date], before me, [notary name], personally appeared [principal name], who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is signed on this document and acknowledged that they signed it.

Notary signature: ______________________ · My commission expires: [date]

What the template includes

Principal and agent with contact details
Powers chosen one by one, or all of them
Special limits and instructions
Gifts and beneficiary changes only if you allow them
A successor agent
When it starts, whether it survives incapacity and when it ends
The agent’s duties and record keeping
Reliance by banks and other third parties
Agent’s acceptance and a notary acknowledgment page

What you fill in

Field	Example
Principal	Margaret Collins, Raleigh, NC
Agent	Daniel Collins, her son
Successor agent	Laura Collins Hayes, her daughter
Powers	Banking, tax, real estate and benefits
Limit	May not sell the house on Oak Street
Start	Immediately
Compensation	None

How it gets signed

1Download the durable power of attorney in Word and fill in the fields.
2Print it and read every power once more before you sign.
3Sign it on paper, before a notary or witnesses when your state asks for them.
4Give the original to your agent and keep a copy with your records.

Banks, title companies and county recorders usually ask for a power of attorney acknowledged before a notary. Sign it here, then take the printed copy to a notary to acknowledge your signature, or use a remote online notary where your state allows it.

What the law says

Each state has its own power of attorney statute, and many follow the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Those laws set who can be an agent, what the agent may do and what formalities make the document easier to rely on.

Without a durable power of attorney, a family may need to ask a court for a guardianship or conservatorship to manage the finances of someone who lost capacity. That process takes time and money and is public.

Why “durable” matters

A regular power of attorney ends when the principal becomes incapacitated. That is exactly when families need it most. The durable wording in clause 5 keeps it working.

Under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, adopted in many states, a power is durable unless it says otherwise. Writing it out still helps banks read it quickly.

Immediate or springing

Option	How it works	Trade-off
Immediate	The agent can act from the day you sign	Easy to use, needs full trust
Springing	Starts when a doctor certifies incapacity	More control, slower to start

Many people choose immediate with a trusted agent. A springing power can delay urgent payments while the doctor’s letter is arranged.

Durable financial and medical powers

This form covers money and property. Health decisions need a separate medical power of attorney. Many people sign both at the same time.

A worked example

After a diagnosis of early dementia, Robert signs a durable power naming his wife, with his brother as successor. It starts immediately.

Two years later Robert can no longer manage money. His wife keeps paying the mortgage and filing taxes with the same document, with no court case.

Keeping it current

Review it after a move to another state.
Update it if your agent’s situation changes.
Give copies to your bank and financial adviser now, not in a crisis.

What your agent can and cannot do

Can: pay bills, manage bank accounts, file taxes and deal with benefits, within the powers you grant.
Can: sell or mortgage property, if you grant real estate powers.
Cannot: make health care decisions under this form.
Cannot: make gifts or change beneficiaries unless you allow it in clause 3.
Cannot: change your will.

Talking to your agent

Tell your agent where your accounts are, who your advisers are and which bills come each month. Write it on one page and keep it with the power.

Agree how often the agent will report to you or to a family member. Regular statements prevent family disputes later.

Checklist before you sign

1Agent and successor agreed to act.
2Powers initialed one by one.
3Immediate or springing chosen.
4Gifts allowed or not, in clause 3.
5Notary appointment booked if your bank needs it.

Sign it while you are well. A durable power signed early costs little and saves your family a court process later.

Before you sign

Other templates

Frequently asked questions

Can I download the durable power of attorney in Word?

Yes. “Download in Word” gives you the full durable power of attorney with no email and no account. You can print it or edit it and sign it here later.

What is the difference between durable and general?

A durable power continues if you become incapacitated. A general power ends at that point.

Can I revoke a durable power of attorney?

Yes, while you have capacity. Sign a written revocation and tell the agent and every institution.

Does it cover medical decisions?

No. Use a medical power of attorney for health care.

Who should I name as successor agent?

Someone as trustworthy as your first agent, ideally younger or living nearby. They act only if the first agent cannot.

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