What is the Difference Between a General Power of Attorney and a Durable Power of Attorney?

There are some very important differences between the two types of Power of Attorney documents.

A General Power of Attorney provides the named Attorney-in-Fact with the authority to act on behalf of the grantor so long as he or she sees fit; a General POW is often set up only for specific transactions of business, and expires if the principal becomes incapacitated.

A Durable Power of Attorney provides the named Attorney-in-Fact with the authority to act on behalf of the principal even if that person becomes disabled or incapacitated. A Durable Power of Attorney does not expire until the death of the maker, or if the POA is revoked.

To create a Durable Power of Attorney document, see Standard Legal’s Power of Attorney legal forms software page.

(Sorry, Standard Legal does not offer a General Power of Attorney as it’s use is fairly rare.)