Fillable General Power of Attorney Document for Washington State

A Washington General Power of Attorney form is a legal document that grants an individual the authority to act on behalf of another in a wide range of legal and financial matters. This authority continues until it’s revoked by the principal, the individual becomes incapacitated, or under certain other conditions as specified by law. Individuals interested in establishing this powerful legal arrangement are encouraged to carefully complete the form by clicking the button below.

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Navigating life's uncertainties can sometimes require assigning someone the authority to make important decisions on your behalf. This is where a Washington General Power of Attorney form becomes invaluable. It's a powerful legal document enabling individuals to appoint a trusted person, known as an agent, to manage their personal affairs, ranging from financial matters to business transactions. Particularly in Washington, understanding the facets of this form is crucial, as it ensures that the person you choose can act in your capacity, should the need arise. While the thought of relinquishing control can be daunting, the form includes measures to protect the principal's (the person granting the power) interests. It stands as a cornerstone for those seeking to safeguard their financial health and ensure continuity in their affairs, regardless of what the future holds.

Contents

Washington General Power of Attorney Example

Washington General Power of Attorney

This General Power of Attorney is established by the undersigned Principal, ___________, whose address is ___________, in the state of Washington, on this day, ___________. This document grants authority to the Attorney-in-Fact, ___________, whose address is ___________, to act on the Principal’s behalf but does not provide authority for health care decisions. The powers herein shall remain effective unless revoked by the Principal or upon the Principal's death, pursuant to the Revised Code of Washington Section 11.125.010 and following.

By this document, the Principal authorizes the Attorney-in-Fact to act in the Principal's stead in any lawful way with regard to the following specified powers, except for those powers that the Principal has stricken:

To conduct any banking business including, but not limited to, the opening and closing of accounts, withdrawal and deposit of money, acquisition of safety deposit boxes, and the endorsement of checks for deposit.
To buy, sell, lease, and manage real estate properties and to execute deeds, mortgages, leases, and other documents of real estate transactions.
To file, sign, and amend tax returns, and to deal with the Internal Revenue Service and the Washington State Department of Revenue on the Principal’s behalf.
To enter into binding contracts on the Principal’s behalf.
To make decisions concerning the Principal’s personal properties, including buying, selling, and managing them.

Additional powers granted to the Attorney-in-Fact include:

___________
___________
___________

This General Power of Attorney is durable and shall not be affected by the subsequent incapacity of the Principal, except as provided by Washington law.

This power of attorney shall be governed by the laws of the state of Washington.

In witness whereof, the Principal has executed this General Power of Attorney on the date written above.

Principal's Signature: ___________

Principal's Printed Name: ___________

Attorney-in-Fact's Signature: ___________

Attorney-in-Fact's Printed Name: ___________

State of Washington

County of ___________

On ___________, before me, ___________, a notary public in and for said state, personally appeared ___________, known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

Witness my hand and official seal.

Notary's Signature: ___________

Notary's Printed Name: ___________

My commission expires: ___________

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Form Overview

Fact	Description
Definition	A Washington General Power of Attorney form allows an individual (the principal) to grant broad powers to another person (the agent) to handle their financial affairs.
Governing Law	The form is governed by the Revised Code of Washington, specifically RCW Chapter 11.125, which outlines the laws related to powers of attorney.
Capacity Requirement	The principal must be of sound mind, meaning they understand what they are signing, the extent of the powers they are granting, and the potential consequences of such a document.
Durability	Unless specified otherwise, a General Power of Attorney in Washington is not durable, meaning it will not remain in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated.
Signing Requirements	The document must be signed by the principal and notarized to be legally binding. Additionally, some financial institutions may have further requirements for acceptance.

Documents used along the form

When someone in Washington decides to create a General Power of Attorney (POA), which grants broad powers to an agent to manage their financial affairs, they often find that this document is just a starting point. To make their planning comprehensive, several other forms and documents usually come into play. These additional documents can tailor the estate plan to the individual's specific needs, ensuring that all bases are covered.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This form appoints an agent to make health care decisions if the principal cannot do so. It's essential for specifying wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
Living Will: Also known as an advance directive, this document outlines the types of medical treatment the principal wishes to receive or avoid in the event they are unable to communicate their decisions.
Last Will and Testament: This key document outlines how the principal's assets should be distributed upon their death. It also names an executor to manage the estate.
Revocable Living Trust: A trust allows the principal to manage their assets during their lifetime and specify how those assets should be distributed after death, potentially avoiding probate.
Community Property Agreement: For married couples, this agreement can specify how property should be classified as community or separate property.
Financial Records Organizer: Though not a formal legal document, an organizer can be invaluable for the agent under a POA, listing accounts, passwords, and other important financial information.
Healthcare Information Release: This form, often compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), authorizes the release of medical information to designated individuals.
Funeral Planning Declaration: This document allows individuals to specify their wishes for their funeral arrangements, relieving their loved ones of making these decisions in a time of grief.

To fully protect their interests and wishes, individuals may need to consider including these additional forms and documents alongside their General Power of Attorney. Each plays a vital role in the broader context of personal and estate planning, ensuring that all aspects of one's life and legacy are carefully considered and managed according to their desires.

Consider Some Other General Power of Attorney Templates for Specific States

How to Get Power of Attorney in Oregon - Empowers a chosen agent with the authority to handle your significant affairs.

Poa Medical - An indispensable tool for estate planning, it coordinates with the principal's will, ensuring a comprehensive management strategy for their assets.

Massachusetts Power of Attorney Form - Pdf - Setting up a General Power of Attorney can be a key component of a comprehensive estate plan.

Power of Attorney California Template - Regularly reviewing and updating the document ensures it remains aligned with your current wishes.