Fillable Power of Attorney for a Child Document for Washington State

The Washington Power of Attorney for a Child form is a legal document that allows parents to grant another adult the authority to make decisions regarding their child's welfare, education, and healthcare in their absence. It's an essential tool for parents preparing for situations where they won't be able to attend to their child's needs personally. To ensure your child's care is in trusted hands when you're not around, consider filling out this form by clicking the button below.

Get Form Here

Caring for a child involves making numerous decisions every day, decisions that are both big and small. In certain situations, a parent or guardian may not be able to be present to make these decisions themselves. This is where the Washington Power of Attorney for a Child form comes into play. It allows parents or legal guardians to grant another trusted adult the authority to make decisions on behalf of their child. Whether due to a temporary absence, health issues, or other obligations, this legal tool ensures that the child's needs continue to be met. Covering aspects such as education, healthcare, and day-to-day activities, the form is a critical document for planning the child’s welfare. Though the notion of entrusting someone else with your child’s care might be daunting, understanding the form’s scope and how it operates can provide reassurance that the child’s best interests can be maintained in the hands of someone you trust.

Contents

Washington Power of Attorney for a Child Example

Washington Power of Attorney for a Child

This Power of Attorney for a Child is governed by the laws of the State of Washington and grants authority to an agent to make certain decisions and perform specific duties related to the care of a child. Please fill in the necessary information where indicated.

1. Parties Information

The Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s):

Full Name: ___________________________
Relationship to Child: __________________
Primary Address: ________________________
Phone Number: _________________________
Email Address: _________________________

The Agent:

Full Name: ___________________________
Relationship to Child: __________________
Primary Address: ________________________
Phone Number: _________________________
Email Address: _________________________

2. Child's Information

Full Name: ___________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________

3. Term

This Power of Attorney shall commence on __________ [Date] and will end on __________ [Date], unless otherwise terminated.

4. Powers Granted

The agent shall have the power to perform any act, make any decision, or exercise any right or privilege that the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) could perform, decide, or exercise, including, but not limited to:

Enrollment in school and educational decisions
Authorization for medical, dental, and mental health treatment
Participation in extracurricular activities
Authorization to travel with the child
Day-to-day care and supervision of the child

5. Signatures

This document must be signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in front of a notary public to be valid.

Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________

Agent Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________

6. Notarization

This section is for the Notary Public.

State of Washington )
County of ____________ )

On this day, ______________ [date], before me, __________________ [name of notary], personally appeared _________________ [name(s) of signer(s)], known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

In Witness Whereof, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.

Notary Public: ___________________________
My Commission Expires: _______________

⇓ PDF File

Form Overview

Fact	Description
Definition	A Washington Power of Attorney for a Child is a legal document that allows a parent or guardian to grant temporary decision-making authority over their child to another individual.
Governing Law	This form is governed by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 11.125.
Effective Period	Typically, it remains effective for a period no longer than two years from the date it is signed.
Revocation	The form can be revoked at any time by the parent or guardian who granted the power, as long as the revocation is in writing.
Eligible Agents	The agent must be a trustworthy adult who the parent believes will act in the child's best interest.
Scope of Authority	The document can grant the agent authority to make decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and general welfare.
Notarization	For the document to be effective, it must be signed in the presence of a notary public.
Handwritten Changes	Any modifications to the document after it has been notarized may invalidate it, unless these changes are properly executed and notarized again.
Emergency Use	It is often used in circumstances where the parent or guardian will be unavailable for an extended period due to travel, military service, illness, or incarceration.

Documents used along the form

When preparing for situations that necessitate the use of a Power of Attorney for a Child form in Washington, it's important to consider additional documents that support or are required to fully ensure the care and decisions for the child are legally covered. These additional forms and documents provide a comprehensive approach to legal and health care planning for a minor. Here are five commonly used forms and documents that accompany a Washington Power of Attorney for a Child form:

Medical Consent Form: This document authorizes the appointed guardian to make medical decisions for the child. It is crucial in emergencies where the child needs medical treatment, and the biological parents are not available to give consent.
Child Travel Consent Form: Often used together with the power of attorney, this consent form is particularly important for allowing the child to travel domestically or internationally with the appointed guardian. It helps avoid delays and issues with airlines and immigration services.
Educational Consent Form: Grants the temporary guardian the right to make educational decisions, including enrollment and access to school records. This is vital for ensuring the child’s education continues seamlessly in the guardian's care.
Temporary Guardianship Agreement: A formal agreement that gives another individual temporary custody rights over the child. It can serve as a more comprehensive approach alongside the Power of Attorney form, detailing the scope and duration of the guardianship.
Emergency Contact Form: Although not a legal document, having an updated emergency contact form is essential for the temporary guardian. It lists contacts who can be reached in a crisis, ensuring the child’s safety is always a priority.

Together, these documents form a safety net, ensuring that children are cared for in all aspects of their lives, even in the absence of their parents. It's important for parents and guardians to understand the purpose and requirements for each document to ensure they are adequately prepared for any situation that might arise. Ensuring the wellbeing of children through meticulous planning is not only a legal matter but a profound responsibility.

Consider Some Other Power of Attorney for a Child Templates for Specific States

Vermont Child Power of Attorney - Essential for single parents in the military, who may face deployment and need to assign caregiving temporarily.

Irrevocable Power of Attorney Form - It acts as a legal safety net, ensuring that, even in the parents' sudden absence, there is an immediately recognized authority to care for the child.

How to Get a Power of Attorney in Nj - An indispensable tool for parents traveling without their children, covering all aspects of care and decision-making.

How to Establish Power of Attorney - A legal document that delegates parental authority to another adult, allowing them to manage aspects of a child's life, including health and education.