Make Your Own Medical & Financial Powers of Attorney
Prepare financial and healthcare powers of attorney with plain-English guidance, general forms, worked examples and signing checklists. Fourth edition, updated for 2026.
Forms and editable downloads included. Access codes and instructions are inside the book. Download the Word files through your free EstateBee account using Use Codes and My Forms.
Edition availability: The fourth-edition PDF is available here, and the Amazon paperback and Kindle links lead to the fourth edition. Apple and Kobo links currently lead to the previous edition while the new editions are being distributed.
Description
Plan who can act for you
Make Your Own Medical & Financial Power of Attorney, Fourth Edition explains financial and healthcare powers of attorney in plain English. Work through choosing an agent, deciding what authority to give, preparing documents, arranging signing and giving copies to the people who need them.
What is included
- General, durable general, limited and durable limited financial power of attorney forms.
- A healthcare power of attorney and living will, an agent acceptance and a revocation notice.
- Completion instructions, important state differences and healthcare supplements for Wisconsin and Michigan.
- Worked examples, preparation and handover checklists, planning worksheets and a simple financial record.
- Guidance on resolving problems raised by banks, healthcare providers and other institutions.
Forms and editable downloads included
The complete forms appear in the book. Editable blank Word files are also included as downloads from EstateBee. Your access codes and instructions are inside the book. Create a free EstateBee account, enter the relevant code under Use Codes, and open My Forms. Internet access, a suitable device and access to printing are required. There is no separate loose-leaf or perforated forms pack.
The PDF Download option provides the complete fourth-edition book as a PDF. Use the editable blank downloads to prepare your signing copies.
Choose and use the right form
A general power gives broad financial authority; a limited power covers specified tasks. A durable power continues during incapacity and may begin immediately or, where the law permits, after a specified incapacity determination. Healthcare documents address treatment decisions and wishes.
The general forms are intended for straightforward personal planning. State law may require extra wording, notices, signing steps or a different document. Read the completion instructions and state guidance before signing. The book identifies when individual legal advice or a state-specific alternative is needed.
Fourth edition • Updated for 2026.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – An Introduction to Powers of Attorney
Overview
What is a Power of Attorney?
Who are the Parties Involved?
Why Use a Power of Attorney?
What are the Types of Powers of Attorney?
How Do I Create a Power of Attorney?
Is it Dangerous to Use a Power of Attorney Form?
What is the Scope of a Power of Attorney?
What is the Duration of a Power of Attorney?
What are the Duties and Responsibilities of the Agent?
Does the Agent Have Liability to the Principal?
Can I Protect Myself from Bad Decisions by My Agent?
What Factors Should I Consider in Choosing an Agent?
Conclusion
Chapter 2 – Different Types of Powers of Attorney
Financial and Healthcare Powers of Attorney
General and Limited Powers of Attorney
Ordinary and Durable Powers of Attorney
Springing Power of Attorney
Mutual Powers of Attorney
Cascading Powers of Attorney
Chapter 3 – Who Needs a Power of Attorney
What Happens Without a Power of Attorney?
What If You Don’t Think You Need a Power of Attorney?
Chapter 4 – Creating a Power of Attorney
Who Can Make a Power of Attorney?
Governing Laws
Creating a Power of Attorney
Signing and Witnessing
Selecting Witnesses to a Power of Attorney
Filing or Recording a Power of Attorney
Preventing Challenges to a Durable Power of Attorney
Chapter 5 – When a Power of Attorney Begins and Ends
Commencement of a Power of Attorney
Duration of a Power of Attorney
Revocation of a Power of Attorney
Reasons to Revoke a Power of Attorney
When Can a Power of Attorney Be Revoked?
Determining ‘Incapacity’ for Purposes of a Power of Attorney
Challenging a Determination of ‘Incapacity’
Difference between ‘Incapacitated’ for a Power of Attorney and ‘Incompetent’ for a Guardianship/Conservatorship
Chapter 6 – The Principal and the Agent
Who are the ‘Principal’ and the ‘Agent’?
The Legal Relationship between the Principal and Agent
Dealing with Third Parties
Choosing and Appointing an Agent
Factors to Consider in Choosing an Agent
What If I Don’t Trust Anyone I Know to Be My Agent?
Required Qualifications of an Agent
Appointing a Relative as an Agent
Agents as Beneficiaries under a Will
Appointing ‘Joint’ or ‘Joint and Independent’ Agents
Alternate Agents
Agent Fees and Compensation
The Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of an Agent
Liability of Agents
Oversight of an Agent
Protecting Against Bad Decisions by an Agent
Chapter 7 – Alternatives to Powers of Attorney
Standard Agency Relationships
Living Trusts
Living Wills
Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
Conservatorships and Guardianships
Chapter 8 – Preparing Your Power of Attorney
Assess Your Individual Circumstances
Determine Whether You Need a Power of Attorney
Select the Types of Powers of Attorney that are Best for You
Choose an Agent
Create Your Power of Attorney Document
Sign and Deliver Your Powers of Attorney
Provide Relevant Information to Your Agents
Periodically Review Your Power of Attorney Documents and Terms
Conclusion
Appendix 1 – Comparing the Forms
General Power of Attorney
Durable General Power of Attorney
Limited Power of Attorney
Durable Limited Power of Attorney
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will
Agent Acceptance
Revocation Notice
Appendix 2 – Completing and Signing Documents
Using the General Forms
Completion Instructions for Financial Powers of Attorney
Completion Instructions for Healthcare Powers of Attorney
Completion Instructions for Agent Acceptance and Revocation
Appendix 3 – Financial Forms and Downloads
Access Instructions and Blank General, Durable General, Limited and Durable Limited Financial Forms
Appendix 4 – Agent Acceptance
Agent’s Acceptance of Appointment
Appendix 5 – Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will
Appendix 6 – Revocation Notice
Notice of Revocation
Appendix 7 – State Requirements and Reader Tools
State Differences and Sources; Wisconsin and Michigan Supplements; Institution Queries; Review Checklists; Planning Worksheets; Glossary; Finding Help
Forms
Forms included in the book and as editable Word downloads:
• General financial power of attorney
• Durable general financial power of attorney
• Limited financial power of attorney
• Durable limited financial power of attorney
• Healthcare power of attorney and living will, including Wisconsin and Michigan supplements
• Agent acceptance
• Notice of revocation
Download instructions and access codes are inside the book. Read the completion instructions and state requirements before completing or signing a form.
Why Choose Estatebee
- Practical guidance – Work through choosing an agent, preparing documents, signing and sharing copies.
- Forms included – The book contains general forms, with editable blank downloads included.
- State guidance – Identify when additional wording, signing steps or a state-specific alternative is needed.
- Know when to seek advice – The book explains circumstances that call for individual legal advice.
Managed by lawyers
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We use our 20+ years of experience to help you figure out what you really want in a simple jargon-free way.
Help at every stage
Our customers are everything to us. So, we provide help to you at every stage of the document creation process.
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