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New York Power of Attorney

A New York Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that gives a selected person or organization permission to handle legal matters for you, such as signing contracts, accessing your bank account, and buying or selling real estate.

The person granting control is called the "principal," while the people or entities receiving powers are called the "agents." Suitable for New York residents, this Power of Attorney can be used in New York County, Kings County, Queens County, and in all other parts of the state. All New York Power of Attorney forms from Rocket Lawyer can be edited for your unique scenario. This official document will provide proof to financial institutions and other parties that your chosen agent(s) can act in your interest when you are not present or able.

It is simple and easy to give or get the support you may need with a free New York Power of Attorney template from Rocket Lawyer:

1. Make your document - Provide a few simple details and we will do the rest
2. Send or share - Go over the PoA with your agent or get legal advice
3. Sign it - Required or not, witnesses/notarization are a best practice

This route is, in most cases, much more affordable and convenient than hiring your average attorney. If needed, you can fill out a PoA on behalf of your spouse or another family member, and then have them sign once you've drafted it. Please keep in mind that for a PoA form to be accepted as valid, the principal must be an adult who is mentally competent when they sign. In the event that the principal has already been declared incompetent, a conservatorship might be required. In such a situation, it is important to speak with an attorney.

Every adult should have a Power of Attorney. Though it is challenging to think about, there may come a time when you can no longer make your own decisions. There will also be times when you're simply out of pocket. Here are some common occasions in which power of attorney may be useful:

• You are preparing to travel or move overseas either temporarily or permanently
• You are getting older or dealing with limited mobility
• You live in a care facility and want help managing financial affairs
• You would like to give a trusted person power to deal with certain financial or legal matters in your absence or if you are unwell

Regardless of whether this New York Power of Attorney has been drafted as part of a forward-looking plan or made in response to an emergency, witnesses and notarization can help to protect your agent if a third party doubts their privileges.

There are several ways to classify PoA documents. They are primarily dependent on what powers will be given, when they will come into effect, and how long they are valid. Frequently, you will see them separated into four groups:

• Springing Power of Attorney - Will be activated based on certain guidelines
• Durable Power of Attorney - Will remain in effect even if you become mentally incompetent or incapacitated
• Special Power of Attorney - Will grant limited authority over specified affairs
• General Power of Attorney - Will grant a broad scope of powers over your affairs

When drafting your free New York Power of Attorney, you can opt to have the power begin immediately, on a precise day, or only when you're no longer capable. Your Power of Attorney can end when you pass away or on a particular date.

New York Power of Attorney forms are generally straightforward, but you or your agent(s) may still have questions. Getting a legal professional to check your New York Power of Attorney may be time-consuming and relatively expensive. An easier and more cost-effective alternative would be to go through the On Call network. If you become a Premium member, you can have your documents reviewed by an On Call attorney with relevant experience. You can rest assured that Rocket Lawyer will be here for you.

The cost of finding and hiring a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney could be between $200 and $500. When using Rocket Lawyer, you aren't just filling out a Power of Attorney template. If you ever need support from a lawyer, your Premium membership offers up to a 40% discount when you hire an attorney from our network.

Attached to your Power of Attorney, you'll discover a set of suggested actions to take once your document is finished. You should feel free to take any of these actions related to your PoA: making edits, printing it, and/or signing it. Finally, you should give a final copy of your signed document to your agent(s), financial institutions, and other impacted parties.

The guidelines and restrictions governing PoA forms vary by state; however, in New York, your document will generally need to be notarized. If you intend to give an agent authority related to real estate, two witnesses will also need to sign. If your agent(s) will handle real estate transactions, the Power of Attorney must be acknowledged by a notary public and filed or recorded with your county. Finally, as a general principle, witnesses will need to not be under 18 years old, and no witness should simultaneously be acting as your Power of Attorney agent.

See New York Power of Attorney law: GOB, Chapter 24-A, Article 5