Free Washington Power of Attorney Form


Sample Washington Power of Attorney

POWER OF ATTORNEY

THIS Power of Attorney is given by me, _______________ (the "Principal"), presently of _______________, _______________, in the State of Washington, on this _________ day of _____________, 20___.

    Previous Power of Attorney

  1. I REVOKE any previous Power of Attorney granted by me.
  2. Attorney-in-fact

  3. I APPOINT __________________, of ___________________________, __________________, Washington, to act as my Attorney-in-fact.
  4. Governing Law

  5. This document will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington. Further, my Attorney-in-fact is directed to act in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington at any time he or she may be acting on my behalf.
  6. Liability of Attorney-in-fact

  7. My Attorney-in-fact will not be liable to me, my estate, my heirs, successors or assigns for any action taken or not taken under this document, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence.
  8. Effective Date

  9. This Power of Attorney will start immediately and will cease to be in effect upon a finding of my mental incapacity or mental infirmity which may occur after my execution of this Power of Attorney.
  10. Powers of Attorney-in-fact

  11. My Attorney-in-fact has authority to do anything on my behalf that I may lawfully do by an Attorney-in-fact (the "General Power").
  12. Specific Powers

  13. Without restricting its generality in any way, the following power(s) are specifically included within the foregoing General Power:

    Initial the line at each authority you grant

      X_____Real Estate Transactions
    1. To deal with any interest I may have in real property and sign all documents on my behalf concerning my interest, including, but not limited to, real property I may subsequently acquire or receive. These powers include, but are not limited to, the ability to:

       

      i.

      Purchase, sell, exchange, accept as gift, place as security on loans, convey with or without covenants, rent, collect rent, sue for and receive rents, eject and remove tenants or other persons, to pay or contest taxes or assessments, control any legal claim in favor of or against me, partition or consent to partitioning, mortgage, charge, lease, surrender, manage or otherwise deal with real estate and any interest therein; and

       

      ii.

      Execute and deliver deeds, transfers, mortgages, charges, leases, assignments, surrenders, releases and other instruments required for any such purpose.


    2. X_____Maintain Property and Make Investments
    3. To retain any assets owned by me at the date this Ordinary Power of Attorney becomes effective, and the power to reinvest those assets in similar investments. In addition, my Attorney-in-fact may invest my assets in any new investments, of his or her choosing, regardless of whether or not they are authorized by any applicable legislation.

    4. X_____Banking Transactions
    5. To do any act that I can do through an Attorney-in-fact with a bank or other financial institution. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to:

       

      i.

      Open, maintain or close bank accounts (including, but not limited to, checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit), brokerage accounts, retirement plan accounts, and other similar accounts with financial institutions;

       

      ii.

      Conduct any business with any banking or financial institution with respect to any of my accounts, including, but not limited to, making deposits and withdrawals, negotiating or endorsing any checks or other instruments with respect to any such accounts, obtaining bank statements, passbooks, drafts, money orders, warrants, and certificates or vouchers payable to me by any person, firm, corporation or political entity;

       

      iii.

      Borrow money from any banking or financial institution if deemed necessary by my Attorney-in-fact, and to manage all aspects of the loan process, including the placement of security and the negotiation of terms;

       

      iv.

      Perform any act necessary to deposit, negotiate, sell or transfer any note, security, or draft of the United States of America, including U.S. Treasury Securities;

       

      v.

      Have access to any safe deposit box that I might own, including its contents; and

       

      vi.

      Create and deliver any financial statements necessary to or from any bank or financial institution.


    6. X_____Business Operating Transactions
    7. To take any action my Attorney-in-fact deems necessary with any business that I may own or have an interest in by doing any act which can be done through an Attorney-in-fact. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to execute, seal and deliver any instrument; participate in any legal business of any kind; execute partnership agreements and amendments; to incorporate, reorganize, consolidate, merge, sell, or dissolve any business; to elect or employ officers, directors and agents; and to exercise voting rights with respect to any stock I may own, either in person or by proxy.

    8. X_____Insurance Transactions
    9. To do any act that I can do through an Attorney-in-fact with any insurance policy. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to pay premiums, start, modify or terminate policies, manage all cash payouts, borrow from insurers and third parties using insurance policies as collateral, and to change the beneficiaries on any insurance policies on my life. Unless my Attorney-in-fact was already a beneficiary of any policy before the signing of this document, my Attorney-in-fact cannot name himself or herself as a beneficiary of such policy.

    10. X_____Claims and Litigation Matters
    11. To institute, maintain, defend, compromise, arbitrate or otherwise dispose of, any and all actions, suits, attachments or other legal proceedings for or against me. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to: appear on my behalf, and the power to settle any claim against me in whichever forum or manner my Attorney-in-fact deems prudent, and to receive or pay any resulting settlement.

    12. X_____Tax Matters
    13. To act for me in all matters that affect my local, state and federal taxes and to prepare, sign, and file documents with any governmental body or agency, including, but not limited to, authority to:

       

      i.

      Prepare, sign and file income and other tax returns with federal, state, local and other governmental bodies, and to receive any refund checks; and

       

      ii.

      Obtain information or documents from any government or its agencies, and represent me in all tax matters, including the authority to negotiate, compromise, or settle any matter with such government or agency.


    14. X_____Government Benefits
    15. To act on my behalf in all matters that affect my right to allowances, compensation and reimbursements properly payable to me by the Government of the United States or any agency or department thereof. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to prepare, file, claim, defend or settle any claim on my behalf and to receive and manage, as my Attorney-in-fact sees fit, any proceeds of any claim.

    16. X_____Retirement Benefit Transactions
    17. To act for me and represent my interests in all matters affecting any retirement savings or pension plans I may have. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to continue contributions, change contribution amounts, change investment strategies and options, move assets to other plans, receive and manage payouts, and add or change existing beneficiaries. My Attorney-in-fact cannot add himself or herself as a beneficiary unless he or she is already a designated beneficiary as of the signing of this document.

    18. X_____Family Care
    19. To make whatever expenditures are required for the maintenance, education, benefit, medical care and general advancement of me, my spouse and dependent children, and other persons that I have chosen or which I am legally required to support, any of which may include my Attorney-in-fact. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to pay for housing, clothing, food, travel and other living costs.

    20. X_____Chattel and Goods Transactions
    21. To purchase, sell or otherwise deal with any type of personal property I may currently or in the future have an interest in. This includes, but is not limited to, the power to purchase, sell, exchange, accept as gift, place as security on loans, rent, lease, to pay or contest taxes or assessments, mortgage or pledge.

    22. X_____Estate Transactions
    23. To do any act that I can do through an Attorney-in-fact with regard to all matters that affect any trust, probate estate, conservatorship, or other fund from which I may receive payment as a beneficiary. This power includes the power to disclaim any interest which might otherwise be transferred or distributed to me from any other person, estate, trust, or other entity, as may be appropriate. However, my Attorney-in-fact cannot disclaim assets to which I would be entitled, if the result is that the disclaimed assets pass directly or indirectly to my Attorney-in-fact or my Attorney-in-fact's estate.

    24. X_____Living Trust Transactions
    25. To transfer any of my assets to the trustee of any revocable trust created by me, if such trust is in existence at the time of such transfer. This property can include real property, stocks, bonds, accounts, insurance policies or other property.

    26. X_____Gift Transactions
    27. To make gifts to my spouse, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other family members on special occasions, including birthdays and seasonal holidays, including cash gifts, and to such other persons with whom I have an established pattern of giving (or if it is appropriate to make such gifts for estate planning and/or tax purposes), in such amounts as my Attorney-in-fact may decide in his or her absolute discretion, having regard to all of the circumstances, including the gifts I made while I was capable of managing my own estate, the size of my estate and my income requirements.

    28. X_____Charity Transactions
    29. To continue to make gifts to charitable organizations with whom I have an established pattern of giving (or if it is appropriate to make such gifts for estate planning and/or tax purposes), in such amounts as my Attorney-in-fact may decide in his or her absolute discretion, having regard to all of the circumstances, including the gifts I made while I was capable of managing my own estate, the size of my estate and my income requirements.

    30. X_____Employ Required Professionals
    31. To appoint and employ any agents, servants, companions, or other persons, including nurses and other health care professionals for my care and the care of my spouse and dependent children, and accountants, attorneys, clerks, workers and others for the management, preservation and protection of my property and estate, at such compensation and for such length of time as my Attorney-in-fact considers advisable.

      X_____Manage Real Estate
    32. To manage the property owned by me, or in which I have an interest, located at _____________________________________________________, and municipally known as _____________________________________________________. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to receive rents, make repairs, pay expenses including the insuring of the property and generally to deal with my property as effectually as I myself could do; to take all lawful proceedings by way of action or otherwise, for recovery of rent in arrears, or for eviction of tenants; and to commence, carry on and defend all actions, suits and other proceedings touching my property or any part of it.

    33. X_____Manage Specific Financial Account
    34. To control my accounts with ____________________ Bank, located at _________________________________________, Account Number(s)__________________________________________. This power includes the authority to conduct any business with respect to any of my listed accounts, including, but not limited to, making deposits and withdrawals, negotiating or endorsing any cheques or other instruments with respect to any such accounts, obtaining bank statements, passbooks, drafts, money orders, warrants, and certificates or vouchers payable to me by any person, firm, corporation or political entity, and to perform any act necessary to deposit, negotiate, sell or transfer any note, security or draft.

  14. Attorney-in-fact Compensation

  15. My Attorney-in-fact will receive no compensation except for the reimbursement of all out of pocket expenses associated with the carrying out of my wishes.
  16. Co-owning of Assets and Mixing of Funds

  17. My Attorney-in-fact may not mix any funds owned by him or her in with my funds and all assets should remain separately owned if at all possible.
  18. Personal Gain from Managing My Affairs

  19. My Attorney-in-fact is not allowed to personally gain from any transaction he or she may complete on my behalf.
  20. Delegation of Authority

  21. My Attorney-in-fact may not delegate any authority granted under this document.
  22. Attorney-in-fact Restrictions

  23. This Power of Attorney is not subject to any conditions or restrictions other than those noted above.
  24. Notice to Third Parties

  25. Any third party who receives a valid copy of this Power of Attorney can rely on and act under it. A third party who relies on the reasonable representations of my Attorney-in-fact as to a matter relating to a power granted by this Power of Attorney will 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 this Power of Attorney up to the point of revocation of this Power of Attorney. Revocation of this Power of Attorney will not be effective as to a third party until the third party receives notice and has actual knowledge of the revocation.
  26. Severability

  27. If any part of any provision of this document is ruled invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such part will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity only, without in any way affecting the remaining parts of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this document.
  28. Acknowledgment

  29. I, _______________, being the Principal named in this Power of Attorney hereby acknowledge:
    1. I have read and understand the nature and effect of this Power of Attorney;
    2. I am of legal age in the State of Washington to grant a Power of Attorney; and
    3. I am voluntarily giving this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereunto set my hand and seal at the City of ________________ in the State of Washington, this _________ day of _____________, 20___.


SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED

     

in the presence of:

     
       

Witness: ______________________ (Sign)

     

Witness Name: ______________________

     

Address: ___________________________

   

__________________________________

___________________________________

   

_______________ (Principal)

       

Witness: ______________________ (Sign)

     

Witness Name: ______________________

     

Address: ___________________________

     

___________________________________

   

WITNESS CERTIFICATE


I, _________________________, currently residing at __________________________, in the City of __________________, in the State of ____________________, hereby acknowledge that:

  1. I witnessed the signing of the Power of Attorney of _______________ dated this _________ day of _____________, 20___.
  2. I am an adult with capacity to witness the signing of the Power of Attorney and I am the subscribing witness thereto.
  3. In my opinion, _______________ had the capacity to understand the nature and effect of the Power of Attorney at the time the Power of Attorney was signed and the Principal signed it freely and voluntarily without any compulsion or influence from any person.
  4. I am not the Attorney-in-fact named in the Power of Attorney nor am I the Attorney-in-fact's spouse or other family member.



_________________________

_________________________

(Signature of Witness)

(Date)


WITNESS CERTIFICATE


I, _________________________, currently residing at __________________________, in the City of __________________, in the State of ____________________, hereby acknowledge that:

  1. I witnessed the signing of the Power of Attorney of _______________ dated this _________ day of _____________, 20___.
  2. I am an adult with capacity to witness the signing of the Power of Attorney and I am the subscribing witness thereto.
  3. In my opinion, _______________ had the capacity to understand the nature and effect of the Power of Attorney at the time the Power of Attorney was signed and the Principal signed it freely and voluntarily without any compulsion or influence from any person.
  4. I am not the Attorney-in-fact named in the Power of Attorney nor am I the Attorney-in-fact's spouse or other family member.



_________________________

_________________________

(Signature of Witness)

(Date)

What is a Washington Power of Attorney and How is It Used?

Death or having to rely on machines to breath is a big blow to anyone. Having greedy people scramble for a piece of your estate is disheartening, and losing money because you are away is not acceptable in business. The only way of ensuring that you have everything in order when incapacitated or unavailable in by signing a power of attorney.

What is a power of attorney?

It refers to a document which you (the principal) prepare legally, and in writing stating that you appoint a trusted friend or family member as the authority figure in your place. You have to sign the document for it to be executable or legally recognized. The person you appoint is the agent or the attorney-in-fact.

The process of getting the document couldn’t be any easier since you can find a free power of attorney form in Washington online. The most important thing you need, however, is an understanding of the different types of powers of attorney.

1. The Washington Durable Power of Attorney Laws

Following the requirements of the 11.125.010, et seq. Code Section of the Washington POA, the durable POA (DPOA) can make medical, financial, as well as the end of life decisions as per the directives of the principal.

The Washington DPOA laws grant the agent the powers to collect debts, buy or sell stuff, make health care decisions, manage the principal’s business, invest their money, sue on the principal’s behalf, and manage the principal’s general financial matters.

The DPOA’s guidelines on the use of life-supporting procedures:

As a principal willing to give directives for whether life-supporting procedures should be withdrawn or withheld, when suffering from a terminal or an incurable disease, then, the laws require that you write down your directives in an advance directives document or the living will.

In the state of Washington, the DPOA laws shield attending physicians from any liability should they act in good faith on matters regarding the end-of-life directives. This applies if the attending physician doesn’t act negligently.

For recognition of a power of attorney, you need to have the document in writing. While appointing someone your agent, you need to use words which show the intent of your willingness to confer medical, financial and familial authority to the agent, the principal’s incapacitation notwithstanding.

Should a lawyer be present when preparing the durable POA document?

No such legal requirement is necessary or the preparation and the review of the POA, however, when handing over important powers to the agent, you should seek legal advice before signing the complicated but free Washington power of attorney form. At the same time, the person you grant power to should understand its meaning, alternatives available, and risks involved.

  • 2. Washington Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care Law

    • This legal document recognizes the fact that you have given another person authority over your health care. For the document to be effective, it should state that the principal must be disabled or incapacitated. In most cases, the document is deemed executable if the words used to communicate the intentions of the principal to make the agent the executor of their wishes only if they are unable to give the orders. The powers of the agent bind and benefit the principal as well as their next of kin.

    • Using the DPOA, a principal could nominate a trustee of their estate for consideration by the court in the event of initiation of protective proceedings for the principal’s estate. The court, on the other hand, will appoint a guardian to the estate per the most recent agent nomination put forth by the principal, unless a disqualification or a good cause ensues.

      The court-appointed guardian will be the one the principal-appointed agent reports to, not the principal, as long as the guardian has the same intentions as the principal before their incapacitation. The guardian, may, therefore, revoke, terminate or suspend the agency or the POA.

      According to the Washington laws, all involved parties should rely on the disability of the principal to act on the powers provided by the POA.

    • Making health decisions

      • The appointed agent will make informed decisions about the principal’s health care. But, if two agents are appointed, and a decision is required on mental health procedures or treatment, the agent appointed most recently will issue the directives for the treatment

      • Spouses, adult children, or siblings can have the powers of attorney. But, physicians, employees, administrators, owners or employees at the medical facility will not make the decisions except for electroconvulsive therapy or inpatient admission.

3. Washington Limited Power Of Attorney Law

The limited POA is applicable should you wish to extend to an agent authority over specific matters. The agent can act on the specific powers only if the principal is incapacitated or unavailable. The limited powers are revocable through a written revocation notice sent to the agent and third parties acting under the agent’s directives.

As a resident of Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Federal Way, Spokane Valley or any other city of Washington, you can access our power of attorney forms easily from our website. Fill out the form above to get started.

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WA Power of Attorney

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