{"id":287000,"date":"2022-05-20T15:25:34","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T20:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/financial-power-of-attorney\/do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-write-a-durable-power-of-attorney.html"},"modified":"2025-08-29T10:59:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T15:59:00","slug":"do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-write-a-durable-power-of-attorney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/financial-power-of-attorney\/do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-write-a-durable-power-of-attorney.html","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Lawyer To Write a Durable Power of Attorney?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do I Need a Lawyer To Write a Durable Power of Attorney?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

No, you do not need a lawyer to get a durable power of attorney. You can draft the document yourself and sign it according to your state laws to make it legally valid. People use durable powers of attorney to give a person (friend, family member) the legal authority to make important decisions for them if they develop an incapacity. There are different types of powers of attorney to fit a variety of situations.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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This article explains the different types of powers of attorney (POAs) and what powers of attorney can be used for.<\/p>\n

Understanding Durable Powers of Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are different types of durable powers of attorney and different purposes for using each type. For example, you may want a durable power of attorney for healthcare, giving a conservator (often a friend or family member) legal authority to make healthcare decisions.<\/p>\n

Types of Durable Powers of Attorney<\/h3>\n