Make a Power of Attorney in Virginia: Virginia Power of Attorney
What is a Virginia Power of Attorney?
A Virginia Power of Attorney (PoA) is a legal document that grants a person or entity the authority to manage financial matters on your behalf, such as signing contracts, selling your property, accessing bank accounts.
The individual giving control is called the "principal," and the person or organization gaining authority is known as the "agent." Suited for residents of Virginia, our Power of Attorney can be used in Virginia Beach County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and in every other part of the state. All Virginia PoA forms from Rocket Lawyer can be edited for your unique scenario. This essential legal document will provide verification to financial institutions and other parties that your selected agent(s) can sign documents or take other actions for you.
When to use a Virginia Power of Attorney:
- You wish to give someone broad authorization to act for you if you are absent or incapable.
- You wish to give someone power to handle certain financial or legal issues in your absence or if you become ill.
- You wish to authorize someone to act on your behalf if case you become legally incompetent or incapacitated.
How do I get my Virginia Power of Attorney reviewed?
If you already have a Virginia Power of Attorney and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Sample Virginia Power of Attorney
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VIRGINIA
STATUTORY FORM POWER OF ATTORNEY
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This Power of Attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property (including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself. The meaning of authority over subjects listed on this form is explained in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
This Power of Attorney does not authorize the agent to make healthcare decisions for you.
You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise, generally the agent's authority will continue until you die or revoke the Power of Attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for you.
Your agent is entitled to reasonable compensation unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.
This form provides for designation of one agent. If you wish to name more than one agent you may name a coagent in the Special Instructions. Coagents are not required to act together unless you include that requirement in the Special Instructions.
If your agent is unable or unwilling to act for you, your Power of Attorney will end unless you have named a successor agent. You may also name a second successor agent.
This Power of Attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.
If you have questions about the power of attorney or the authority you are granting to your agent, you should seek legal advice before signing this form.
DESIGNATION OF SUCCESSOR AGENT
If the Agent is unable to serve for any reason, I appoint , of , , , as my alternate or Successor Agent, as the case may be to serve with the same powers and discretions.
If the Successor Agent is unable to server for any reason, I appoint , of , , , as my second Successor Agent, as the case may be to serve with the same powers and discretions.
I hereby revoke any and all general powers of attorney that previously have been signed by me. I hereby revoke any and all special powers of attorney that previously have been signed by me. I hereby revoke any and all general powers of attorney and special powers of attorney that previously have been signed by me. However, the preceding sentence shall not have the effect of revoking any powers of attorney that are directly related to my healthcare that previously have been signed by me.
GRANT OF GENERAL AUTHORITY
I grant my agent and any successor agent general authority to act for me with respect to the following subjects as defined in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act:
(INITIAL each subject you want to include in the agent's general authority.)
| ________ | Create, amend, revoke or terminate an inter vivos trust |
| ________ | Make a gift |
| ________ | Create or change rights of survivorship |
| ________ | Create or change a beneficiary designation |
| ________ | Delegate authority granted under the Power of Attorney |
| ________ | Waive the principal's right to be a beneficiary of a joint and survivor annuity |
| ________ | Exercise fiduciary powers that the principal has authority to delegate |
| ________ | Have authority over the content of an electronic communication as provided by § 64.2-123 |
LIMITATION ON AGENT'S AUTHORITY
An agent that is not my ancestor, spouse or descendant MAY NOT use my property to benefit the agent or a person to whom the agent owes an obligation of support unless I have included that authority in the Special Instructions.
This Power of Attorney shall become effective This Power of Attorney shall continue effective until or until I lack sufficient mental competence to understand and handle my financial and personal affairs or until I lack sufficient mental competence to understand and handle my financial and personal affairs. This Power of Attorney may be revoked by me at any time by providing written notice to my Agent.
RELIANCE ON THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY
Any person, including my agent, may rely upon the validity of this Power of Attorney or a copy of it unless that person knows it has terminated or is invalid.
This Power of Attorney is granted in, and shall be governed by the laws of the state of Virginia; however, I intend that this Power of Attorney be universally recognized and that it be universally admissible to recordation. In the event that I become a resident of another jurisdiction, or obtain property, including real property or any other property interest, in another jurisdiction, it remains my intention that the laws of Virginia shall continue to govern this Power of Attorney.
Dated ____________________, ______, at , .
__________________________________
COMMONWEALTH OF ,
CITY/COUNTY OF , to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on this _____ day of ____________________, ______ by .
_________________________________
Notary Public
| Notary registration number ____________ |
My commission expires _____________
Notice to Person Executing Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is an important legal document. By signing the Power of Attorney, you are authorizing another person to act for you, the principal. Before you sign this Power of Attorney, you should know these important facts:
Your Agent (attorney-in-fact) has no duty to act unless you and your Agent agree otherwise in writing.
This document gives your Agent the powers to manage, dispose of, sell and convey your real and personal property, and to use your property as security if your Agent borrows money on your behalf, unless you provide otherwise in this Power of Attorney.
Your Agent will have the right to receive reasonable payment for services provided under this Power of Attorney unless you provide otherwise in this Power of Attorney.
The powers you give your Agent will continue to exist for your entire lifetime, unless you state that the Power of Attorney will last for a shorter period of time or unless you otherwise terminate the Power of Attorney. The powers you give your Agent in this Power of Attorney will continue to exist even if you can no longer make your own decisions respecting the management of your property, unless you provide otherwise in this Power of Attorney.
You can change or correct the terms of this Power of Attorney only by executing a new Power of Attorney, or by executing an amendment through the same formalities as an original. You have the right to revoke or terminate this Power of Attorney at any time, so long as you are competent.
This Power of Attorney must be dated and must be acknowledged before a notary public. A Power of Attorney that may affect real property should be acknowledged before a notary public so that it may easily be recorded.
You should read this Power of Attorney carefully. When effective, this Power of Attorney will give your Agent the right to deal with property that you now have or might acquire in the future. The Power of Attorney is important to you. If you do not understand the Power of Attorney, or any provision of it, then you should obtain the assistance of an attorney or other qualified person.
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; act loyally, with care, competence, and diligence; and avoid conflicts of interest. |
| 2. | The legal duty to keep a record of all transactions made on behalf of the principal, including the responsibility to produce receipts, ledgers and other records of all deposits, disbursements or other transactions involving the principal's assets or indebtedness. |
| 3. | To cooperate with the principal's Agent for healthcare decisions, should the principal appoint such an Agent, in making decisions in accordance with the principal's desires or in the best interest of the principal if the principal's wishes are not known. |
| 4. | The legal duty to preserve the principal's estate plan, if one exists, and the principal's desires for such plan to be preserved. |
| 5. | The legal duty to keep the principal's property separate and distinct from any other property owned or controlled by you. |
| 6. | The legal duty to terminate actions as Agent (Attorney-in-Fact) under this Power of Attorney upon the occurrence of any of the following: |
| a. | Principal's death; |
| b. | Revocation of the Power of Attorney of principal; |
| c. | The arrival of any date stated in the Power of Attorney, which states the termination of the Power of Attorney, if any; or |
| d. | No additional action is required under the Power of Attorney. |
| 7. | If you are the spouse of the principal, the Power of Attorney terminates upon legal separation or dissolution of the marriage. |
| 8. | You may be held responsible and liable for any intentional actions which violate or abuse your authority under this Power of Attorney as provided by the state and federal laws governing this Power of Attorney. |
| 9. | You have the right to seek legal advice if you do not understand your duties as Agent or any provisions in the Power of Attorney. |
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. In addition to criminal prosecution, you may 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.
Date:
Signed:
_________________________________
Virginia Power of Attorney FAQs
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How do I get a Power of Attorney in Virginia?
It's fast and easy to give or get the authority you may need with a free Virginia Power of Attorney template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make your PoA - Answer a few questions and we will do the rest
- Send or share it - Review it with your agent or seek legal advice
- Sign it - Mandatory or not, notarization/witnesses are a best practice
This route is often much more affordable than hiring and working with your average law firm. If necessary, you may start this PoA on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another family member, and then have that person sign once you've drafted it. Please keep in mind that for a Power of Attorney to be valid, the principal must be an adult who is mentally competent when they sign. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a conservatorship could be necessary. When dealing with such a situation, it would be a good idea for you to connect with an Legal Pro.
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Who should have a Virginia PoA?
Every person over 18 should have a Power of Attorney. Although it's unpleasant to acknowledge, a time will likely come when you can no longer make your own legal decisions. There may even be moments when you're merely unavailable. Here are some typical occasions in which a PoA can be useful:
- You are getting older or dealing with limited mobility or ongoing health issues
- You are living abroad or out of state
- You wish to give someone the ability to manage certain financial or legal matters in your absence or if you are not well
- You currently live in a residential care facility and need help managing financial affairs
Regardless of whether your Virginia Power of Attorney is being made as a result of an emergency or as part of a forward-looking plan, witnesses and notarization often help to protect your agent if their authority is challenged.
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Which type of Power of Attorney do I need in Virginia?
There are a few different ways to classify Power of Attorney documents. They are primarily dependent on how long the powers are in effect, when they come into effect, and what they grant authority over. Most often, you may see them defined in four segments:
- General Power of Attorney - Will grant broad authority over your affairs
- Special Power of Attorney - Will grant a limited scope of powers over specific matters
- Durable Power of Attorney - Will remain valid even if you become mentally incompetent or incapacitated
- Springing Power of Attorney - Will come into effect based on certain criteria
When creating your free Virginia Power of Attorney, you may decide to have the agent's power start on a selected day, immediately upon signing, or only at the point when you are no longer capable. The Power of Attorney may end either on a specific date or upon your death.
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Do I need to work with a lawyer for my Virginia PoA?
It’s a good idea to have important documents like your Virginia Power of Attorney reviewed before signing, so you fully understand your choices and help avoid unintended outcomes. The problem is that some attorneys may not review documents they didn’t prepare, while others may require a retainer or high hourly fees. This can make getting a legal review of your Virginia Power of Attorneydifficult and time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process easier. With Rocket Lawyer, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your document. You can also use Rocket Copilot to review your document, identify potential issues, and check that everything is complete before signing.
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What might it typically cost to get a Power of Attorney form in Virginia?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Virginia Power of Attorney can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Virginia Power of Attorney tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask a Legal Pro for guidance.
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Does a Power of Attorney need to be notarized, witnessed, and/or recorded in Virginia?
The specific requirements are different in each state; however, in Virginia, your document will need the signature of a notary. If your agent(s) will have the authority to engage in real estate transactions, the Power of Attorney must be notarized and recorded or filed with the county.
See Virginia Power of Attorney law: Title 64.2, Chapter 16
