General Durable Power of Attorney
For an adult (the principal) who wants to name a trusted person (the agent) to handle money and property matters, now or if they become unable to. Many states have a statutory form that must be followed closely, and most require notarization. This form does not cover health care decisions.
- Fields
- 49
- Pages
- 4
- Paper
- Letter
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Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Principal's legal name and address
- Agent's name, address and phone
- A successor agent, in case the first cannot serve
- Which powers to grant, and any limits
- Whether it takes effect now or only on incapacity
- A notary (and witnesses if your state requires them)
What's inside
49 fields, ready to fill
- 25Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 6Dateschecked as real dates
- 1Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 17Signaturessignature and initials
17 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the General Durable Power of Attorney
- 1
Check your state's form first
If your state has a statutory power of attorney form, use it or have a lawyer adapt this one. Some states will not honor a form that departs from the statute.
- 2
Name the agent and successor
Enter full names and contact details. The successor acts only if the agent dies, resigns or cannot serve.
- 3
Initial the powers you grant
Write your initials next to each power. Powers left blank are not granted. Add limits or special instructions in the box.
- 4
Choose when it takes effect
Select immediately or only on incapacity, and state how incapacity is confirmed.
- 5
Sign before a notary
Do not sign until you are in front of the notary and any required witnesses. The agent signs the acceptance afterward.
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- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Power of attorney rules differ by state: many states have statutory forms, and notarization and witness requirements vary. Have a qualified attorney review it before signing.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
General Durable Power of Attorney: questions people ask
Does a power of attorney have to be notarized?
In most states, yes, or it must be notarized to be accepted by banks and to be used for real estate. Some states also require one or two witnesses. Check your state before signing.
What does "durable" mean?
A durable power of attorney stays in effect if the principal later becomes incapacitated. Without durable wording, the authority may end at incapacity.
Can this form be signed electronically?
Some states allow electronic signing with remote online notarization; many banks and county recorders still expect wet-ink originals. Confirm before relying on an e-signed copy.
Does this let my agent make medical decisions?
No. Health care decisions need a separate health care power of attorney or advance directive under your state's law.
Will my bank accept it?
Banks and brokerages often review powers of attorney and may ask for their own form or an agent certification. Statutory-form states may require them to accept a properly executed statutory form.
How do I revoke it?
Sign a written revocation, give it to your agent and to every institution that has a copy, and record it if the original was recorded.
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