Connecticut Power of Attorney Form Create a Connecticut Power of Attorney Form

Connecticut Power of Attorney Form

Updated Dec 06, 2025
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A Connecticut Power of Attorney Form is a legal document that authorizes one person to act on another's behalf in legal or financial matters.

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Poa Type

Select the type of authority you wish to grant. 'General' grants broad powers; 'Limited/Special' restricts authority to specific acts; 'Durable' remains in effect if the Principal becomes incapacitated; 'Springing' only becomes effective upon a specified event.

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CONNECTICUT POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM

I. NOTICE

NOTICE: THE POWERS GRANTED BY THIS DOCUMENT ARE BROAD AND SWEEPING. THEY ARE DEFINED IN THE CONNECTICUT UNIFORM POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT, WHICH EXPRESSLY PERMITS THE USE OF ANY OTHER OR DIFFERENT FORM OF POWER OF ATTORNEY DESIRED BY THE PARTIES CONCERNED. THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION SECTION AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PURPOSE AND LEGAL EFFECT OF THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE POWERS, OBTAIN COMPETENT LEGAL ADVICE. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANYONE TO MAKE MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH CARE DECISIONS FOR YOU. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY IF YOU LATER WISH TO DO SO.

II. DESIGNATION OF AGENT

I, , of , designate the following person as my agent:

Name of Agent:
Agent’s Address:
Agent’s Telephone Number:

III. DESIGNATION OF SUCCESSOR AGENT(S) (OPTIONAL)

IV. GRANT OF GENERAL AUTHORITY

I grant my agent and any successor agent general authority to act for me with respect to the following subjects as defined in the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Sections 1-350 to 1-353b of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(INITIAL each subject you want to include in the agent's general authority. If you wish to grant general authority over all of the subjects you may initial "All Preceding Subjects" instead of initialing each subject.)

V. GRANT OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY (OPTIONAL)

My agent MAY NOT do any of the following specific acts for me UNLESS I have INITIALED the specific authority listed below:

(CAUTION: Granting any of the following will give your agent the authority to take actions that could significantly reduce your property or change how your property is distributed at your death.)

VI. LIMITATION ON AGENT’S AUTHORITY

An agent that is not my ancestor, spouse, or descendant MAY NOT use my property to benefit the agent or a person to whom the agent owes an obligation of support unless I have included that authority in the Special Instructions.

VII. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS (OPTIONAL)

You may give special instructions on the following lines:

VIII. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Power of Attorney is effective immediately unless I have stated otherwise in the Special Instructions.

IX. NOMINATION OF CONSERVATOR (OPTIONAL)

If a conservator of my estate needs to be appointed for me by a court, I nominate the agent designated in this Power of Attorney. If my agent is unable or unwilling to act as conservator, I nominate the successor agent named in this Power of Attorney.

X. RELIANCE ON THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY

Any person, including my agent, may rely upon the validity of this Power of Attorney or a copy of it unless that person knows it has terminated or is invalid.

XI. SIGNATURE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name on the date written below.

Signature of Principal: _________________________
Date:
Print Name: _______________

XII. WITNESSES

(Note: Connecticut law requires this document to be attested by two witnesses.)

Witness 1:
Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name:
Address:

Witness 2:
Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name:
Address:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AGENT

Agent’s Duties

When you accept the authority granted under this Power of Attorney, a special legal relationship is created between you and the principal. This relationship imposes upon you legal duties that continue until you resign or the Power of Attorney is terminated or revoked. You must:

  1. Do what you know the principal reasonably expects you to do with the principal's property or, if you do not know the principal's expectations, act in the principal's best interest;
  2. Act in good faith;
  3. Do nothing beyond the authority granted in this Power of Attorney; and
  4. Disclose your identity as an agent whenever you act for the principal by writing or printing the name of the principal and signing your own name as "agent" in the following manner: (Principal's Name) by (Your Signature) as Agent.

Unless the Special Instructions in this Power of Attorney state otherwise, you must also:

  1. Act loyally for the principal's benefit;
  2. Avoid conflicts that would impair your ability to act in the principal's best interest;
  3. Act with care, competence, and diligence;
  4. Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions made on behalf of the principal;
  5. Cooperate with any person that has authority to make health care decisions for the principal to do what you know the principal reasonably expects or, if you do not know the principal's expectations, to act in the principal's best interest; and
  6. Attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan if you know the plan and preserving the plan is consistent with the principal's best interest.

Termination of Agent’s Authority

You must stop acting on behalf of the principal if you learn of any event that terminates this Power of Attorney or your authority under this Power of Attorney. Events that terminate a Power of Attorney or your authority to act under a Power of Attorney include:

  1. Death of the principal;
  2. The principal's revocation of the Power of Attorney or your authority;
  3. The occurrence of a termination event stated in the Power of Attorney;
  4. The purpose of the Power of Attorney is fully accomplished; or
  5. If you are married to the principal, a legal action is filed with a court to end your marriage, or for your legal separation, unless the Special Instructions in this Power of Attorney state that such an action will not terminate your authority.

Liability of Agent

The meaning of the authority granted to you is defined in the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Sections 1-350 to 1-353b, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes. If you violate the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Sections 1-350 to 1-353b, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, or act outside the authority granted, you may be liable for any damages caused by your violation.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT OR YOUR DUTIES THAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, YOU SHOULD SEEK LEGAL ADVICE.

What is a Connecticut Power of Attorney Form?

A Connecticut Power of Attorney Form is a legal instrument used to delegate authority from one individual, known as the principal, to another trusted person, referred to as the agent or attorney-in-fact. This document allows the agent to manage the principal's financial, legal, and property affairs, particularly in situations where the principal is unable to do so themselves due to absence or incapacity. Governed by the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act, this form serves as a critical component of estate planning, ensuring that a designated representative can pay bills, manage investments, and handle real estate transactions without court intervention. While typically used for financial matters, separate documents are generally required for medical directives.

Legal Framework and Statutory Requirements

The validity and execution of power of attorney documents in the state are governed by the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Connecticut General Statutes Title 1, Chapter 15c). This legislation, which aligns Connecticut law with national standards, establishes the specific requirements for creating a legally binding delegation of authority. Under C.G.S. § 1-350 et seq., a power of attorney must be signed by the principal or in the principal's conscious presence by another individual directed by the principal to sign the principal's name.

For the document to be valid in Connecticut, the signature must be acknowledged by a notary public or a commissioner of the superior court. Furthermore, the document requires the signatures of two witnesses. The notary public may serve as one of the two required witnesses. The statutes also provide a "Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney," which is a standardized template that residents may use to ensure compliance with state laws. If a document substantially follows this statutory form, third parties such as banks are generally mandated to accept it.

Types of Power of Attorney in Connecticut

State laws recognize several variations of this legal device, each serving a distinct purpose based on the duration of authority and the scope of powers granted. The selection of the specific type depends on the principal's intent and current circumstances.

Durable Power of Attorney

Under the current Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act, a power of attorney is presumed to be durable unless the document explicitly states otherwise. A durable power of attorney remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated or mentally incompetent. This feature makes it a fundamental tool for long-term disability planning, as it prevents the need for a court-appointed conservator to manage the principal's assets.

General vs. Limited Power of Attorney

A general power of attorney grants the agent broad authority to handle almost all financial and legal affairs of the principal. Conversely, a limited or special power of attorney restricts the agent's authority to specific transactions or a set period. For example, a principal might execute a limited Connecticut Power of Attorney Form solely for the purpose of closing a real estate sale while they are out of the country.

Springing Power of Attorney

A springing power of attorney is designed to become effective only upon the occurrence of a specified future event or contingency, most commonly the incapacity of the principal. The document must clearly define how that incapacity is determined, often requiring certification by a medical physician.

How to Complete a Connecticut Power of Attorney Form

Executing this document requires adherence to specific procedural steps to ensuring it is legally binding and recognized by financial institutions.

  1. Step 1: Select an Agent - The principal must choose a competent and trustworthy individual to act as the agent. Connecticut law allows for the appointment of co-agents who may act independently or jointly, as well as successor agents who take over if the primary agent is unable to serve.
  2. Step 2: Define the Scope of Authority - Using the statutory form, the principal generally initials specific categories of authority they wish to grant, such as "Real Property," "Banks and Other Financial Institutions," or "Taxes." Alternatively, the principal may grant all listed powers.
  3. Step 3: Draft Special Instructions - The principal may include limitations or specific instructions in the designated section of the form to restrict the agent's powers or provide guidance on how assets should be managed.
  4. Step 4: Execute the Document - The principal must sign the document in the presence of two witnesses and a notary public. The witnesses must also sign the document, and the notary must acknowledge the principal's signature.
  5. Step 5: Agent Acknowledgement - While not strictly required for the validity of the principal's signature, it is best practice for the agent to sign an acknowledgement form accepting their duties and understanding their fiduciary responsibilities.

Fiduciary Duties and Agent Responsibilities

When a person accepts the role of an agent under a Connecticut Power of Attorney Form, they assume a fiduciary relationship with the principal. This legal standard requires the agent to act in good faith, within the scope of authority granted, and solely in the best interest of the principal. The agent is legally obligated to keep the principal's property separate from their own, maintain detailed records of all transactions, and avoid conflicts of interest.

If an agent violates these duties—for instance, by using the principal's funds for personal gain—they can be held liable for civil damages and may face criminal charges for embezzlement or exploitation. The Connecticut Probate Court has jurisdiction to review the conduct of an agent and can compel them to provide an accounting of their actions if misconduct is suspected.

Distinction Between Financial and Medical Authority

It is important to distinguish between financial authority and healthcare decision-making. The standard Connecticut Power of Attorney Form typically covers financial, business, and legal matters. It does not automatically grant the authority to make medical decisions. To designate a representative for healthcare decisions, an individual must execute a separate document known as an Appointment of Health Care Representative. While these documents are often created simultaneously during estate planning, they are distinct legal instruments governed by different sections of the Connecticut General Statutes.

FAQs

Generally, the document does not need to be recorded to be valid. However, if the agent intends to use the power of attorney to buy, sell, or transfer real estate, the document must be recorded in the land records of the town where the property is located.
No, all authority granted under a power of attorney terminates immediately upon the death of the principal. Once the principal passes away, the management of their estate falls to the executor or administrator appointed by the Probate Court.
Yes, a competent principal has the right to revoke a power of attorney at any time. Revocation should be done in writing, and notice must be delivered to the agent and any financial institutions or third parties that were relying on the original document.
While it is not legally required to hire a lawyer, using the Statutory Short Form provided in the Connecticut General Statutes is recommended for those proceeding without counsel. For complex estates or specific limitations, legal advice is advisable to ensure the document functions as intended.
If an individual becomes incapacitated without a valid power of attorney in place, their family may need to apply to the Probate Court to have a conservator appointed. This process can be time-consuming, expensive, and involves ongoing court supervision.
An agent may only make gifts from the principal's assets if the power of attorney document expressly grants that authority. The Statutory Short Form includes a specific section where the principal must initial to authorize the agent to make gifts.

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