A Power of Attorney form is a powerful legal document that allows you to give another person, an “Agent,” the authority to handle your financial and personal decisions. However, an Agent under a Power of Attorney has no authority to make health care decisions for you.
In June 2023, the Vermont legislature adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. The new Uniform Power of Attorney Act has specific requirements for the content of a Power of Attorney. This new law is very different from Vermont’s previous Power of Attorney law.
New example Power of Attorney form
This form is the new example Power of Attorney form that complies with the requirements under the new law. This form was not created by Vermont Legal Aid.
Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont cannot help you fill out this example Power of Attorney form. If you wish to use this form to appoint an Agent to manage your financial affairs for you, you should ask a qualified estate planning attorney for legal advice. Contact the Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service online or call 1-800-639-7036.
Example Power of Attorney form
This PDF document does not meet all requirements of a fully accessible PDF. For a more accessible experience, use the Word document.
New form for revoking Power of Attorney
If you want to end your Agent’s authority to handle your financial business, you should cancel your Power of Attorney. Canceling a Power of Attorney is called a “revocation.”
Your Power of Attorney has not been revoked until your Agent knows that you have ended their authority to act on your behalf. You can revoke the Power of Attorney by telling your Agent they are no longer allowed to handle your affairs. You should also revoke the Power of Attorney in writing. This revocation form will cancel your Power of Attorney. Vermont Legal Aid created this new form.
You may not revoke a power of attorney if you have been found incapable of handling your own property or business decisions. While a witness signature is optional, you may want someone to confirm that you are capable of making those types of decisions. A witness (such as a medical provider, a lawyer, or a trusted friend) can sign the document to verify that in their opinion, you are fully capable of managing your own affairs.
Places like your bank also need to know that you have revoked your Agent’s authority. You should send everyone a copy of this written revocation who also has a copy of your original Power of Attorney. They will know your former Agent is no longer allowed to access your financial information or conduct business on your behalf.
The signature of a notary public is also optional. This form revokes a Power of Attorney even if it is not witnessed or notarized.
If you have questions about revocation, contact us at Vermont Legal Aid.
Revocation of Power of Attorney form
This PDF document does not meet all requirements of a fully accessible PDF. For a more accessible experience, use the Word document.
