California Power of Attorney Forms
California power of attorney forms grant narrow or wide-ranging powers to a representative known as an “agent”. The forms must be completed by a person (known as the “principal”) who is of sound mind. POAs generally come in 2 main types, known as a durable and general. A form is durable if it remains in effect after if the principal were to no longer be able to act for themselves. The principal can select anyone as their agent, although choosing a trusted individual, such as a family member or close friend, is recommended.
Types (9)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx) | Rich Text (.rtf)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download – Adobe PDF
Laws & Signing Requirements
- California Power of Attorney Laws: Division 4.5, §4000 to § 4545 , “Powers of Attorney”
- State Definition of Power of Attorney (Division 4.5, Ch.1, §4022): “‘Power of Attorney’ means a written instrument, however denominated, that is executed by a natural person having the capacity to contract and that grants authority to an attorney-in-fact. A power of attorney may be durable or nondurable.”
- Signing Requirements (Division 4.5, Ch.2, § 4121): The document needs to be 1) signed by the principal or by an individual permitted by the principal to sign in their name, and (2), the form needs to be signed in the presence of two (2) witnesses (per Ch.2, § 4122) or acknowledged by a Notary Public.