The Connecticut Power of Attorney is a written record declaring that one party (the principal) would like to convey certain personal authorities to another party (the agent/attorney-in-fact) for them to act in their name. Based on the type of POA carried out, the authorities can range from simply signing a contract for the declaring party to making tough medical decisions for an individual who has become mentally incapacitated. Each class of POA will generally require that the principal’s signature be observed by two (2) witnesses and/or an official possessing notarial power.
Laws
Statutes – Chapter 15c: Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act (§ 1-350 – § 1-369) and Chapter 368w: Removal of Life Support Systems and Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (§ 19a-570 – § 19a-580i)
Definition – “Power of Attorney” means a writing or other record that grants authority to an agent to act in the place of the principal, whether or not the term power of attorney is used (§ 1-350a(7)).
Signing Requirements – Financial powers of attorney necessitate acknowledgment of either two (2) witnesses or a notary public (§ 1-350d). Advance directives, medical POAs, and living wills must be signed with the assistance and verification of two eligible witnessing parties (§ 19a-575a).
Revocation – § 1-350i and § 19a-575a(b-e)
By Type (11)
- Advance Directive (Medical POA & Living Will)
- Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
- General (Financial) Power of Attorney
- Limited (Special) Power of Attorney
- Living Will
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Minor Child Power of Attorney
- Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney
- Real Estate Power of Attorney
- Revocation of Power of Attorney
- Tax Power of Attorney
Advance Directive – Becoming the baseline for documents regarding healthcare decisions, the advance directive employs the benefits of both the living will and medical power of attorney.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses (§ 19a-575a).
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney – Appoints another individual to handle matters related to elements of the principal’s financial life (property, investments, banking, benefits, etc.) and continues even if the grantor loses their mental capacity.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and a notary public.(§ 1-350d).
General (Financial) Power of Attorney – Offers all the same financial powers that the durable POA does, except the permitted action(s) do not remain active once the principal becomes incapacitated.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx)
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and a notary public.
Limited (Special) Power of Attorney – Those not interested in providing a broad sweeping power may alternatively implement this document to describe a more specific authority they wish to grant.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx)
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and a notary public.
Living Will – Used as a preemptive measure taken by those who wish to specify their medical wishes should they ever enter a state where they can no longer communicate.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses (§ 19a-575a).
Medical Power of Attorney – Nominates an agent to function on behalf of another concerning any healthcare decisions that need to be addressed upon the principal’s incapacitation.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses (§ 19a-576).
Minor Child Power of Attorney – Certifies the appointment of a surrogate parent for a temporary period of time.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses (§ 45a-624).
Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney – Conveys the authority to handle certain matters related to a car or truck.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and a notary public.
Real Estate Power of Attorney – A contract dedicated to conveying powers associated with real property.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx)
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and a notary public.
Revocation of Power of Attorney – Neutralize the powers delivered in an existing POA by fulfilling the criteria of this document.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Acknowledgment of two (2) witnesses and notary public recommended.
Tax Power of Attorney (Form LGL-001) – Expresses that a taxpayer has decided to supply a representative with powers that will allow them to perform certain tax functions in the assigning party’s name.
Download: PDF
Signing Requirements: Only requires the principal’s signature.