Free Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Forms | PDF | Word

Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Forms

The Minor Power of Attorney is for any parent who would like to administer caretaking rights for their child to someone else. This would allow the caretaker, known as the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”, temporary custody of the child and to make parenting decisions.

Last updated September 21st, 2024

The Minor Power of Attorney is for any parent who would like to administer caretaking rights for their child to someone else. This would allow the caretaker, known as the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”, temporary custody of the child and to make parenting decisions.

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What is a Minor Power of Attorney?

A minor power of attorney is a legal instrument temporarily transferring defined parental rights to an alternate adult. The granted powers allow a secondary individual to make decisions, sign, and care for a minor without the child’s parent(s). The interim agreement extends additional controls over a child to an indicated agent without voiding any existing rights held by the parent(s).

This type of contract is instated for short-term use, and each state sets unique regulations concerning the maximum period of issuance. For cases that demand a more permanent arrangement, review your state-specific page listed above for details on guardianship options.

How to Get a Minor Power of Attorney

Step 1 – Choose a Designated Agent

Creating a child POA agreement essentially allows the parent(s) to identify a third party to assume standby guardianship over a minor. Determining a recipient of parental authority should be carefully considered, reserving the designation solely for persons deemed trustworthy, reliable, and responsible. The confirmed agent should also be competent and experienced in caring for children and be able to provide financial stability and safe home conditions.

Step 2 – Fine-Tune the Agreement/Obtain the Right Form

After confirming the selection for attorney-in-fact, the applicable agreement can be accessed to read over and amend as needed. The following terms can be adjusted at the discretion of the parent(s):

  • Start/End Date
  • Durability of the POA (Termination pon death and/or incapacitation)
  • Limitation(s) on Powers Granted

Once the parameters of the accord are set, the appropriate form can be obtained for completion. First, select the link corresponding to your state of residence and then download, print, or complete within your browser by using the Fill Now function.

Step 3 – Complete and Execute the Document

Next, the blank sections of the form can be filled in with the requested information on the parent, child, agent. When it comes time to finalize the agreement, endorsements can be captured in accordance with state signature requirements. If your state specifies a demand for authorized corroboration to confirm the event, all participants must wait to sign the document until a notary and/or witness(es) are present. Check your state’s page to review any necessary mandates to adhere to legal standards for the contract’s execution.

State-Specific Child POA Time Limitations and Laws

STATE MAXIMUM TIME PERIOD MINOR POWER OF ATTORNEY LAW
 Alabama 1 Year § 26-2A-7
 Alaska 1 Year § 13.26.066
 Arizona 6 Months § 14-5104
 Arkansas No Specified Time Limitation § 28-68-213
 California No Specified Time Limitation § 1510 – 1517
 Colorado 1 Year § 15-14-105
 Connecticut 1 Year Sec. § 45a-622
 Delaware No Specified Time Limitation § 2361 – 2372
 Florida No Specified Time Limitation § 751.01 – 751.05
 Georgia 1 Year § 19-9-122
 Hawaii 1 Year § 560:5-105
 Idaho 6 Months § 15-5-104
 Illinois No Specified Time Limitation § 755 ILCS 45/4-3
 Indiana 1 Year § 29-3-9-1(c)
 Iowa No Specified Time Limitation § 633B.213(1)(a)(1)
 Kansas 1 Year § 38-2403(d)(2)(A)
 Kentucky 1 Year § 403.352
 Louisiana 1 Year § 9:952
 Maine 1 Year § 5-127(1)
 Maryland No Specified Time Limitation § 13-901 – 13-908
 Massachusetts 2 Years § 201F-5
 Michigan 180 Days § 700.5103
 Minnesota 1 Year § 524.5-211(a)
 Mississippi 1 Year § 93-31-3
 Missouri 1 Year § 475.602(1)
 Montana 6 Months § 72-5-103
 Nebraska 6 Months § 30-2604
 Nevada 6 Months § 159A-205
 New Hampshire No Specified Time Limitation § 463:1 – 463:33
 New Jersey 6 Months § 3B:12-74
 New Mexico 6 Months § 45-5-104
 New York 1 Year § 24A-5-1551
 North Carolina No Specified Time Limitation § 32A-28 – 32A-34
 North Dakota 6 Months § 30.1-26-04
 Ohio No Specified Time Limitation § 1337.28 and § 3109.52
 Oklahoma 1 Year 10 O.S. § 700
 Oregon 6 Months § 109.056
 Pennsylvania No Specified Time Limitation § 23-5611 23-5616
 Rhode Island No Specified Time Limitation § 33-15.1-14
 South Carolina 60 Days § 62-5-309
 South Dakota 6 Months § 29A-5-210
 Tennessee No Specified Time Limitation § 34-6-302
 Texas 1 Year  § 34.0075
 Utah 6 Months § 75-5-103
 Vermont No Specified Time Limitation § 14 V.S.A 2601 – 3098
 Virginia 180 Days § 20-166
 Washington No Specified Time Limitation § 11-125-410
West Virginia 1 Year HB § 49-8-3
 Wisconsin 1 Year § 48-979
 Wyoming 1 Year § 3-2-302(d)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship for a Child

A minor power of attorney agreement, sometimes referred to as standby guardianship, is different from legally permitting another to receive official guardian status. The primary difference between a POA for a child and guardianship is the amount of time the bestowed parental rights are upheld. A child power of attorney accord extends temporary privileges for an alternate adult to care for a minor when the parent is unavailable or unable to do so. Most states provide specific statutes indicating the maximum time period the controls can remain in effect.

Guardianship is typically a permanent arrangement that not only appoints another to receive parental authority to another but can mean the rescinding of the current parent’s rights. Becoming a child’s guardian usually involves a more lengthy process that can include going through the court system and possible approval from a judge.

Does the Form Require Notarization?

Policy regarding the obligations for recording signatures on the contract depends on the state in which the child resides. Examine the unique requirements applicable to your area by clicking on the link for your state’s page. Although some states do not demand notarization to activate the commitment, it is highly suggested for verification purposes.

Will I Need a Lawyer to Issue Power of Attorney Over My Child?

No, retaining the services of an attorney is not necessary to instate a child POA commitment. Completion of the form by the child’s guardian furnishes sufficient legal standing to transfer parental controls upon endorsement by the connected parties.

How Do I Revoke a Minor Power of Attorney?

Should a parent wish to void the granted permissions created by the POA contract, they have the right to revoke at any time. The effective reversal of the arrangement can be carried out by filing a Revocation of Power of Attorney. The revocation agreement can be completed as instructed to record the information from the original POA document. The parent(s) can then execute the legal instrument per the signature requirements of their associated state. A copy should be supplied to the named attorney-in-fact to inform of the retraction of the previously-issued agency.

Sample Minor Power of Attorney

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