Power of Attorney in Massachusetts
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Massachusetts requires powers of attorney to be notarized and witnessed by two disinterested parties.
How Massachusetts treats Power of Attorney
A power of attorney in Massachusetts must be signed, notarized, and witnessed by at least two people who have no financial interest in the document. The state follows the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, which allows both financial and healthcare powers. Massachusetts also permits durable powers of attorney that survive incapacity, provided the document explicitly states the principal's intent for it to remain effective.
The general definition of Power of Attorney
A legal document authorizing someone to act on your behalf in financial or medical decisions.
A power of attorney is a document you sign giving another person (called an agent or attorney-in-fact) the authority to make decisions and sign documents for you. You can make it broad (covering all financial matters) or narrow (only for selling a specific property). It takes effect immediately or only if you become incapacitated, depending on what you choose.
Read the full Power of Attorney entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.