Open daily 7:30 AM–11:00 PM · Serving the Treasure Coast (Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties) and beyond

Call 772-321-2290

Home › Free Guides › Durable Power of Attorney Guide

Free guide

Understanding the Florida Durable Power of Attorney

A free, plain-English overview of the Florida Power of Attorney Act.

What’s in the guide

A durable power of attorney lets you (the principal) give a trusted person (the agent) authority over your financial, property, and legal matters, and it stays in effect if you later become incapacitated. In Florida it must be signed in front of two witnesses and acknowledged before a notary.

This guide explains why people sign one, the powers that must be spelled out and separately initialed, the agent’s duties, what banks must do when shown one, and how a power of attorney ends or is revoked. It links to Chapter 709 of the Florida Statutes so you can read the sources yourself.

What the 8-page guide covers

  1. What a Durable Power of Attorney Is
  2. Why People Sign One — Avoiding Guardianship
  3. Requirements to Be Valid in Florida
  4. What the Agent May Do — Authority Must Be Spelled Out
  5. The Agent's Duties
  6. Third Parties: Banks Must Accept or Explain Why Not
  7. How a Power of Attorney Ends
  8. Revoking or Changing a Power of Attorney
  9. Choosing an Agent — Points Frequently Discussed
  10. Do Your Own Research — Primary Sources
  11. Required Disclosures

Download the free guide (PDF)

Ready to start? Fill out the Florida Durable Power of Attorney intake form, or call or text 772-321-2290.

More free guides: see all free guides.

Ready to start your paperwork?

Fill out the Florida Durable Power of Attorney intake form, or call or text 772-321-2290. Your document is prepared from the information you provide in writing. See estate document preparation.

Related free guides

I am not an attorney. I am a nonlawyer document preparer and provide document preparation only, at your direction. I cannot give legal advice. This guide is educational information only.

Prepared by Jonathan Rexford, Nonlawyer Document Preparer and Florida Notary Public, Vero Beach, Florida · 772-321-2290 · jonathan@notarynearmenow.com

Ready when you are.

Call or book online. Jonathan comes to you, any day from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Call Now Book Now (opens the online booking page in a new tab)