Make your Free Connecticut Power of Attorney

A Connecticut Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that grants a trusted person permission to manage your finances, such as selling real estate, signing contracts, and accessing bank accounts.

The person giving control is called the "principal," and the person or entity receiving powers is called the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact." Suited for Connecticut residents, this Power of Attorney can be used in New Haven County, Fairfield County, Hartford County, and in every other county throughout the state. All Connecticut PoA forms from Rocket Lawyer can be completely personalized for your specific situation. With this official legal document on hand, your representative(s) can provide verification to financial institutions and other parties that they can act in your interest when you are not present or able.

It's fast and easy to give or get the support you need using a free Connecticut Power of Attorney template from Rocket Lawyer:

1. Make the document - Provide a few details and we will do the rest
2. Send or share - Review it with your agent(s) or ask a legal question
3. Sign and make it legal - Optional or not, notarization/witnesses are ideal

This solution is, in most cases, much less expensive than working with a traditional lawyer. If needed, you may prepare this PoA on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another relative, and then help that person sign after you've drafted it. Keep in mind that for this document to be legally valid, the principal must be a mentally competent adult when they sign. If the principal has already been declared incompetent, a court-appointed conservatorship might be required. When dealing with this situation, it is best to connect with a lawyer.

Anyone who is over 18 should have a Power of Attorney. Although it may be difficult to acknowledge, there might come a time when you are no longer able to make your own decisions. There may also be moments when you are merely unavailable. Typical circumstances where power of attorney would be helpful include:

• You currently live in a care facility and want help managing your finances
• You are planning to travel or move abroad either temporarily or permanently
• You wish to authorize someone to take legal actions on your behalf in the event that you are absent or become incapacitated
• You are getting older or have limited mobility or declining health

Whether your Connecticut Power of Attorney is being created in response to an unexpected emergency or as part of a long-term plan, witnesses and/or notarization are highly encouraged as a best practice for protecting your agent if someone disputes their privileges and authority.

There are multiple ways to categorize Power of Attorney documents. They are mainly dependent on what powers are given, when they will come into effect, and how long they will remain valid. Often, you'll see them separated into these four groups:

• Special Power of Attorney - Would grant limited authority over selected matters
• General Power of Attorney - Would grant broad powers over your affairs
• Springing Power of Attorney - Would come into effect based on certain events or criteria
• Durable Power of Attorney - Would remain in effect even if you become mentally incompetent or incapacitated

When producing your free Connecticut Power of Attorney with Rocket Lawyer, you can elect to have the agent's power start immediately, on a desired day, or only when you are no longer capable. Your Power of Attorney can end on a particular date or upon your death.

Connecticut Power of Attorney forms are usually simple to make, but you or your agent might still need advice. Hiring a lawyer to proofread your Connecticut Power of Attorney could be costly. An easier and more cost-effective alternative is through the Rocket Lawyer On Call^® network. With a Premium membership, you can have your documents examined by an attorney with relevant experience. You can rest assured that Rocket Lawyer is here for you.

The fees associated with hiring your average attorney to draft a Power of Attorney might add up to between two hundred and five hundred dollars, based on your location. Unlike most other Power of Attorney template websites that you may come across elsewhere, Rocket Lawyer offers Premium members up to a 40% discount when hiring a lawyer, so an attorney can take action on your behalf if you ever require help.

Upon finishing your customized document using Rocket Lawyer, you'll be able to view it on any device, anytime. You also can engage with your document in one or all of these ways: making edits, printing it out, and/or signing it. Alongside your Power of Attorney, there is a series of recommended actions to take once your document is completed. You will need to give a copy of the fully signed document to your agent(s), financial institutions, and other impacted parties.

The requirements will vary by state; however, in Connecticut, your Power of Attorney must be acknowledged by a notary public and signed by two witnesses. If your agent will manage real estate transactions, the Power of Attorney will need to be acknowledged by a notary public and recorded or filed with the county. Finally, as a general principle, witnesses will need to not be under the age of 18, and no witness should also be named as your PoA agent.

See Connecticut Power of Attorney law: Chapter 15c