About this general power of attorney template
This general power of attorney template (also called an ordinary power of attorney and sometimes referred to as a PoA) allows you to give temporary authority to someone else to make decisions and act on your behalf.
As the giver you become the “donor” of the power and the receiver becomes your “attorney”. The actions that your attorney may take on your behalf can be as general or specific as you like and may relate to one part or all of your affairs.
The general power of attorney document specifies both the powers that you grant and the time period during which the attorney has those powers.
One of the features of a general power of attorney is that it created for a defined period of time. It is not indefinite. It becomes effective as soon as it is signed (or otherwise if you specify in the document). You could draft it now for use later.
If you need to cancel it (called revoking in legal jargon) before the expiry date in the document, you can use a document called a deed of revocation to do so. It will automatically be revoked if the donor loses mental capacity.
With this template, you have complete flexibility as to who to nominate as your attorney, the powers that you delegate and how they should be used, and the time period. You can also specific the matters you don’t want the attorney to have power over.
When to use this Ordinary Power of Attorney template
You can grant a power of attorney if you are over 18 years of age and have mental capacity. The attorney must also be over 18 years old and not be an undischarged or interim bankrupt.
You can only grant the power of attorney to do things that you already have the right and capacity to do yourself. You can’t use it to allow the attorney to make decisions about your welfare.
Often, a general power of attorney (PoA) is used when
- you are abroad but need someone to manage your financial and legal affairs at home (such as buying or selling property)
- you want to allow someone to perform a specific task on your behalf on a regular basis (such paying your bills in your name from your bank account each month or collecting a pension)
- you want to allow someone with greater knowledge of a subject to act on your behalf (e.g. an estate agent to negotiate buying a house)
You do not have to register this general power of attorney with anyone or any organisation.
The attorney must be notified to make a revocation effective.
Template features and contents
- Flexible to suit all situations, business or personal
- Can be used by anyone over 18 years old
- Reference to the Powers of Attorney Act 1971
Reasons to buy from Net Lawman
Full money back guarantee – buy with confidence
This general power of attorney comes with a no questions asked full money back guarantee. You take no risk that it might not be right. Once you buy it, we’ll give you 30 days to evaluate it in any way you want. If for any reason you’re not happy, just e-mail us and we’ll refund your money in full immediately.
Guidance notes included - prior legal knowledge is not required
Comprehensive guidance notes, written by the author of the document, are included. These notes ensure that you don’t need to be a lawyer or have knowledge of the law to understand which paragraphs you should edit to complete the template.
Minimal editing required
This general power of attorney has been written specifically in such a way that you don’t need to spend hours editing it. It uses an approach where you remove the sections that aren’t applicable to you, so you don’t have to add any back, write your own, or worry about whether you are using correct legal language.
Paragraphs have been written to stand alone from each other. Removing one that isn’t applicable to your circumstances doesn’t affect the standing of any other in the template.
Plain language minimises future disagreements
Your ordinary power of attorney is real law written in plain language that all parties will understand. This will minimise the likelihood of later disputes.
If a dispute does arise and you find yourself in court, the judge will look more favourably on a legal agreement written in plain language over one peppered with complicated legal jargon. Your case will be stronger if it is clear that both sides understood the agreement when it was signed.
Buy once – re-use again and again
You can use the general power of attorney as many times as you like – just create a new document from the master version.
Delivered straight to your inbox
As soon as you complete the secure checkout process, we will send your document straight to your inbox. We will also keep a copy for you for 60 days in our customer area so you can access it even when you are away from your e-mail.
Still unsure whether this is the right document for you?
If you are unsure whether this general power of attorney is suitable for your particular circumstances, then you have two options. The first is to buy now, evaluate the document, and use the 30 day, full money back guarantee to obtain a refund if it isn’t suitable. You take no risk in seeing the template. The second option is to contact us and ask. We can’t offer you legal advice on your situation, but we can help you find the document you want. We aim to respond to your question within 24 hours. |
