Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Pennsylvania requires powers of attorney to follow statutory form requirements and be notarized, with strict compliance rules for validity.
How Pennsylvania treats Power of Attorney
Pennsylvania law requires powers of attorney to substantially comply with statutory forms found in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. The document must be signed by the principal and notarized before a notary public. Pennsylvania recognizes both durable and non-durable powers of attorney, with durable powers remaining effective during incapacity unless the principal specifies otherwise. Healthcare decisions are typically handled through separate healthcare powers of attorney or living wills rather than general financial powers of attorney.
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 Pennsylvania.