Get a Washington, D.C., power of attorney in minutes
Choose someone to act in financial matters on your behalf by executing a power of attorney (POA). FindLaw’s guided process means you can complete your own POA quickly and easily.

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- Being part of a blended family
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- Being part of a blended family
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- …and any other concerns you have!

Do you have a large estate or an interest in more advanced estate planning tools like trusts?
Speaking with
a FindLaw Attorney
- Being part of a blended family
- Caring for children with special needs
- Establishing and maintaining trusts
- …and any other concerns you have!

Are you looking to have your estate planning basics covered?
Do you have minor children?
Do you have pets?
Do you want to leave gifts to people or a charity?
Do you own a business?
Do you want to decide how your property is distributed when you pass away?
Do you want someone to handle your health care decisions if you are unable?
Do you want to specify someone who can make financial decisions for you if you are unavailable or incapacitated?
Do you want to specify someone who can make financial decisions for you if you are unavailable or incapacitated?
Do you want someone to handle your health care decisions if you are unable?
Do you want to specify someone who can make financial decisions for you if you are unavailable or incapacitated?
Do you want to specify someone who can make financial decisions for you if you are unavailable or incapacitated?
Speaking with
a FindLaw Attorney
- Being part of a blended family
- Caring for children with special needs
- Establishing and maintaining trusts
- …and any other concerns you have!

Estate Planning Package
For One person
- Last will and testament
- Living will
- Power of attorney
- Free HIPAA release form
- A comprehensive plan — for less
- Free changes and revisions for up to one year after purchase
Power of Attorney
For one person
- Step-by-step guided process
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Living Will
For One Person
- Step-by-step guided process
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
Last Will and Testament
For One Person
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Estate Planning Package
For two people
- Two wills, living wills, and powers of attorney
- Two free HIPAA release forms
- You and your loved one create your own estate plans tailored to your individual needs
- Attorney-approved documents customized to your state’s laws
- Free changes and revisions for up to one year after purchase
Power of Attorney
For two people
- Step-by-step guided process
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Living Will
For Two People
- Step-by-step guided process
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
Last Will and Testament
For Two People
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Living Will + Power of Attorney
For one person
- Step-by-step guided process
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Last Will and Testament + Power of Attorney
For one person
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
Last Will and Testament + Living Will
For One Person
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
Living Will + Power of Attorney
For two people
- Step-by-step guided process
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
Last Will and Testament + Power of Attorney
For two people
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
- A power of attorney that’s tailored to your needs
Last Will and Testament + Living Will
For Two People
- Step-by-step guided process
- Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws
- A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes
- Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase
- A living will tailored to your needs
- Free HIPAA release form
- Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase
Do I really need a power of attorney?
If you become incapacitated due to an accident or illness and do not have a power of attorney, your next of kin must file an action in probate called a conservatorship. In this action, the court determines who manages your real estate, business, financial, and family maintenance affairs and places your matters in a protective proceeding. If this occurs, there is no guarantee that the court will choose your preference to act in this role or that this person will manage your affairs in a way you approve. A power of attorney takes out this uncertainty. You choose who acts on your behalf should you become incapacitated and you define their powers.
A power of attorney can help in other situations besides incapacity. For example, you may plan a long trip abroad, be deployed as a service member, or require short-term assistance finishing one transaction (e.g., you are unavailable to close on your house.) A power of attorney makes these instances easier too.
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District of Columbia power of attorney options to fit your needs
Power of Attorney
For one person
A do-it-yourself power of attorney form that’s easy to personalize
BEST VALUE
Estate Planning Package
For One person
All the forms you need to create a personal estate plan
How it works
The process takes less than an hour, and you can complete it from the comfort of your home
Create an account
Create a secure account which is accessible through an easy dashboard you can access any time
Gather information
Indicate who your agent will be and what authority you want them to have
Complete your document
Answer all questions, then we’ll generate your digital documents for downloading, printing, and signing
Make it legal
Carefully follow the instructions provided in the form, which may include signing your documents in front of witnesses or a notary
How to get a Washington, D.C., power of attorney form
Understand how a POA works in D.C.
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint an agent to act on your behalf. The person making the appointment (you) is the principal. An agent in a power of attorney is also called an attorney-in-fact.
Washington, D.C. presumes powers of attorney are durable, meaning they remain effective regardless of your future incapacity. Most people prefer that their powers of attorney are durable since they execute them as a backup in case they are incapacitated or unavailable.
Powers of attorney are no longer enforceable if the principal is dead. If you wish to execute an instrument that manages your property or business after you die, choose a living trust or last will and testament.
Choose your agent
Choose your agent or attorney-in-fact carefully. They should be someone who looks out for your best interests and knows your essential matters — like whether you have a mortgage, where you run your business, where you bank, etc. Common agent choices include spouses and live-in partners. Single people may choose a close friend, family member, or business partner. Once you select your primary agent, designate a secondary agent. You never know if something occurs and leaves the first choice of agent unavailable or unwilling to carry out their duties in the power of attorney.
Define your agent’s duties
Your form will list duties and powers you can assign to your agent. They include the general powers that allow agents to sign contracts, handle records, and manage any current litigation (if applicable) on your behalf. You can also assign the specific powers defined in DC Code sections 21-2104 through 21-2117. Specific powers include real property, financial, business, and other routine transactions.
Find a notary
You must sign a Washington, D.C. power of attorney in front of a notary public. When you finish the form, check your financial institution to see if they have a notary on staff. If not, you can find notaries at print and mail service locations or hire a mobile notary public to visit you at home or work.
Make copies
Store the original power of attorney in a safe deposit box or fireproof cabinet. Make copies of it and provide them to your agent, family members, and anyone else affected by its contents.
If you find you need to revoke your power of attorney, you can do so by executing a new power of attorney or a document called a revocation of power of attorney.

You may want to speak with a lawyer if:
- You don’t know who to choose as your agent
- You want to use a POA for Medicaid planning
- You want to discuss which powers you should give your agent
- You want legal review of your completed power of attorney
Ready to start your District of Columbia power of attorney?
Create my formCommon questions about powers of attorney in Washington, D.C.
You can find free power of attorney forms online. However, you do not know if they are effective in Washington, D.C., or appropriate for your circumstances. They rarely come with instructions, and you may not finish them correctly. It is better to consult with an attorney or buy a form with instructions than to take a chance on free forms.
If you are a married wage earner whose assets are jointly owned, you will have fewer issues finishing a power of attorney correctly.
There are situations where you need an attorney for any estate planning documents, including a power of attorney. These situations carry more risk and more significant impacts if a power of attorney is not legally correct:
- High chance of family conflict that delays management of your affairs or estate
- You own a business or a majority share in a company or partnership
- You are single and choosing a non-family member as your attorney-in-fact
A Washington, D.C. estate planning attorney can help you with a durable power of attorney, but also a last will and testament, living trust, healthcare directive, and medical power of attorney. Follow the link to find an attorney in your area.
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