Free California Power of Attorney Form


Sample California Power of Attorney

POWER OF ATTORNEY

THIS Power of Attorney is given by me, _______________ (the "Principal"), presently of _______________, _______________, in the State of California, 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 ___________________________, __________________, California, to act as my Attorney-in-fact.
  4. Governing Law

  5. This document will be governed by the laws of the State of California. Further, my Attorney-in-fact is directed to act in accordance with the laws of the State of California 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 California 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 California, this ___ day of ____________________,20___.


SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED

     

in the presence of:

     
       

Witness: ______________________ (Sign)

     

Witness Name: ______________________

     

Address: ___________________________

   

__________________________________

___________________________________

   

_______________ (Principal)

       

Witness: ______________________ (Sign)

     

Witness Name: ______________________

     

Address: ___________________________

     

___________________________________

   

NOTICE TO PERSON ACCEPTING THE APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

By acting or agreeing to act as the agent (attorney-in-fact) under this power of attorney you assume the fiduciary and other legal responsibilities of an agent. These responsibilities include:

  1. The legal duty to act solely in the interest of the principal and to avoid conflicts of interest.
  2. The legal duty to keep the principal's property separate and distinct from any other property owned or controlled by you, unless the power of attorney specifically gives you the authority to commingle the principal's property with your own.

You may not transfer the principal's property to yourself without full and adequate consideration or accept a gift of the principal's property unless this power of attorney specifically authorizes you to transfer property to yourself or accept a gift of the principal's property. If you transfer the principal's property to yourself without specific authorization in the power of attorney, you may be prosecuted for fraud and/or embezzlement. If the principal is 65 years of age or older at the time that the property is transferred to you without authority, you may also be prosecuted for elder abuse under Penal Code Section 368. In addition to criminal prosecution, you may also be sued in civil court.

I have read the foregoing notice and I understand the legal and fiduciary duties that I assume by acting or agreeing to act as the agent (attorney-in-fact) under the terms of this power of attorney.



___________________________

(Signature of Agent)

     

___________________________

(Print Name of Agent)

     

________________________

(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)


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 California Power of Attorney?

Do you have legal documents that will ensure that your affairs are in order if you’d fall ill or be incapacitated today? Having a will is an excellent step as it takes care of things when you are no longer here. But, you need the control over your affairs falling in the right hands should you be disabled, unavailable temporarily or incapacitated, don’t you think?

Well, that document is a power of attorney. It refers to a legal arrangement or a legal instrument that authorizes another party to make decisions on your behalf when you are not in a position to make the decisions. Since you write down your wishes in the document, your wishes will be honored despite your inability to talk. For the validity of the document, it needs to be signed and notarized.

The party you grant power over your health, kids or financial is the agent or the attorney-in-fact, and the document will refer to you as the principal. You may also refer to the document as the letter of attorney, the letter of authority, or the letter of authorization. You’ll have to fill power of attorney form to kickstart the process.

Which are the main types of powers of attorney (POA)?

California Durable Power of Attorney Laws

The durable POA covers your wishes regarding health care. The document gives an agent the authority matters regarding your health, including but not limited to artificial life support. The document states whether a principal wishes to be connected the respirator as an extreme health measure, or not. The agent will also need the document to decide on the principal’s care, medical procedures, diagnosis, treatment, and other services related to the principal’s physical or mental status.

The agent can also decide if the attending physician should start, continue, discontinue, or increase the limit of their health care. Like the principal, the agent has the right to receive any consent or information on health care decisions and records.

However, the agent cannot make decisions on health matters like convulsions, psychosurgery, abortion, sterilization, or commitment.

Requirements for authorizing the attorney-in-fact

The authority given to the agent should be signed and dated in the presence of 2 witnesses who have to sign the documents too, attesting to the signature of the principal. They should also sign a statutory declaration under §4701. The document also needs to be notarized by a licensed notary public in which case the latter prevails over the declaration as stated in §7185 et seq.

The document also needs to be in accordance with the requirements of the statutory form as stated in §4703.

The process of revoking the durable POA

The agent doesn’t have any authority over the principal if the principal is still in a position to give consent over their health care.

  • And, while able to make sound decisions about their health, the principal can revoke the powers granted to the agents. For revocation,

    • The principal may revoke the agent’s appointment in writing or oral form.

    • The principal may also dismiss the authority of the agent by giving oral or written notice to the physician

    • A newer durable POA will dismiss the powers granted in the earlier letter of authority.

    • If the principal divorces from their spouse, the former spouse designated the agent ceases holding power over the principal’s health.

State-to-state validity

As you fill your free California power of attorney form, note that the powers in the letter of attorney will be enforceable in a different jurisdiction or state if it is within the acceptable laws of the new jurisdiction or state, or when it is in substantial compliance with California laws.

Immunity for the attending physician

If the attending physician makes a health care decision on behalf of the principal (or in their own) in good faith, they will not be subject to civil, criminal or professional liability. This is, however, subject to some limitations.

California Limited Power of Attorney Law

This letter of authority allows a principal only to issue specific powers to an agent. The agent will only act on the specific matters when the principal is unable to give the orders or when unavailable.

The limited POA remains in place unless the principal issues a revocation order. For revocation, the principal has to send the agent a written revocation order/ notice. The notice should also be issued to all the affected third parties.

What makes the limited letter of authority legally sufficient?

Having the date of execution and the principal’s signature. In place of the principal’s signature, the principal’s name written by another adult with the principal’s direction and presence.

The letter of authority should be acknowledged before the public and a licensed notary and/ or signed by a minimum of 2 witnesses who must satisfy the legal requirements set out in section 4122.

California Power of Attorney for Childcare Law

If you are filling in your free power of attorney form in California looking to hand over power over your child to a non-parent for a period of your unavailability, you’ll need a POA for childcare. Authority granted often covers medical treatment and other significant matters.

It is, however, revocable (even before expiry) as long as you issue a revocation form and deliver it personally to the person with the letter of authority at the time.

Whether you live in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Long Beach, Fresno, Sacramento or any other city of California, you can use our power of attorney forms efficiently. Fill out the form above to get started.

Sample

CA Power of Attorney

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