

The attorney also will ensure that the proper steps are taken to make the document legally binding.

The document might offer general instructions about what needs to be done to make it valid (instructions that might not comply with your state’s law) or none at all.Īn attorney, on the other hand, can draft a document that is specific to your needs and your state’s law. Plus, state rules vary about what steps need to be taken to make the document legally binding, such as having it notarized. Con: It Might Not Conform to State Lawīe aware that DIY POA documents that aren’t state specific might not conform to your state’s law.
FREE FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY DOWNLOAD
You can download them from the comfort of your home and fill them out quickly – which might be an important factor if you need a power of attorney document quickly.

Power of attorney forms that can be found online are convenient. Some, such as Nolo, include a power of attorney document as part of estate planning packages that are available for less than $100. Services such as LegalZoom offer DIY power of attorney documents for less than $50. You can find free power of attorney documents online from state bar association websites that comply with state law. Pro: Lower CostĪn attorney could charge up to a couple hundred dollars to draft a power of attorney document or several hundred dollars to $1,000 or more for a package of estate planning documents, including a will, advance health care directive and power of attorney. Here are the pros and cons of DIY power of attorney documents. You can also find do-it-yourself forms online.īefore opting for a fill-in-the-blank form, though, you need to understand what you’re getting. All adults should have a financial power of attorney document that names someone they trust to make financial decisions and transactions for them if they are unable to do so themselves.
