Alaska Power of Attorney Form

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document where a principal (you) appoints an agent (also called an attorney-in-fact) to act on their behalf in financial, real estate, business, and other essential matters. Most powers of attorney are durable, meaning they remain effective regardless of your disability or mental incapacity. It remains in effect until you revoke it, execute a new power of attorney, or pass away.

You can execute a general power of attorney document, which grants broad powers to your agent. If you are using it as a backup plan in case anything happens to you, this approach is the best way to ensure your affairs receive complete handling. You can also execute a limited power of attorney, limiting your agent's authority to specific powers or even a single transaction.

If you want someone to act on your behalf with health care decisions, you need to execute a healthcare directive. Also known as a medical power of attorney (or health care power of attorney), it addresses communicating treatment preferences when you cannot do so.

How To Get an Alaska Power of Attorney Form

You have two options when it comes to securing an Alaska power of attorney. One, you can hire an estate planning lawyer to draft the document for you. Or you can download a form and fill it out. (The link provided here also contains instructions and access to other estate planning documents.)

Once you find a form, follow these instructions to complete it:

1. Choose your agent

Carefully consider who will be your agent. You want to choose someone trustworthy who has your best interests in mind. Most people choose their spouse, live-in partner, a close friend or family member, or business partner. You can also select a successor agent in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve as your agent when the need arises.

2. Assign powers

A power of attorney form will list general powers normally granted in these documents including real estate transactions, business operation, banking, financial power, retirement plan management, and many others. If you wish to grant all of these powers, you do not have to make changes. Otherwise, cross out any powers you do not want your agent to exercise.

3. Find a notary

Alaska law requires that you sign your power of attorney in front of a notary public. You can find a notary public at your local financial institution where you hold bank accounts or hire a mobile notary to visit you at work or home. If you hire a law firm to draft your power of attorney, they will usually have a notary on staff.

4. Make copies

Once finished, make copies of your power of attorney and provide them to your agent, family members, and anyone else affected by it. Keep the original in a safe deposit box or fireproof filing cabinet. Make sure your agent knows where you keep the original.

If you wish to revoke your power of attorney in the future, you have two options. You can either draft a new one (which will cancel out previous powers of attorney) or sign a document called a revocation of power of attorney. Inform your agent if you take this action since they can still act in that capacity if they are unaware the power of attorney is revoked.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.