Iowa Power of Attorney Form Create an Iowa Power of Attorney Form

Iowa Power of Attorney Form

Published Dec 07, 2025
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An Iowa Power of Attorney Form is a legal document that allows an individual to designate an agent to make certain financial or legal decisions on their behalf.

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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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IOWA POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property (including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself. The meaning of authority over subjects listed on this form is explained in the Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Iowa Code Chapter 633B.

This power of attorney does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions for you.

You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise, generally the agent’s authority will continue until you die or revoke the power of attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for you.

Your agent is entitled to reasonable compensation unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.

This form provides for designation of one agent. If you wish to name more than one agent, you may name a co-agent in the Special Instructions. Co-agents are not required to act together unless you include that requirement in the Special Instructions.

If your agent is unable or unwilling to act for you, your power of attorney will end unless you have named a successor agent. You may also name a second successor agent.

This power of attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions.

If you have questions about the power of attorney or the authority you are granting to your agent, you should seek legal advice before signing this form.

I. DESIGNATION OF AGENT

I, (Principal Name), residing at:

hereby appoint the following person as my agent:

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

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

III. 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 Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Iowa Code Chapter 633B:

(Check the boxes of the subjects you want to include in the agent’s general authority. If you wish to grant general authority over all of the subjects you may check "All Preceding Subjects" instead of checking each subject.)

IV. GRANT OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY (OPTIONAL)

My agent MAY NOT do any of the following specific acts for me UNLESS I have CHECKED 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.)

V. 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.

VI. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS (OPTIONAL)

You may give special instructions on the following lines:

VII. EFFECTIVE DATE

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

VIII. NOMINATION OF CONSERVATOR AND GUARDIAN (OPTIONAL)

IX. 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.

X. SIGNATURE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Principal's Signature

I, the Principal, sign my name to this Power of Attorney on the date stated below.

Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name: _______________

XI. 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.
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.
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.
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 Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Iowa Code Chapter 633B. If you violate the Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Iowa Code Chapter 633B, 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 an Iowa Power of Attorney Form?

An Iowa Power of Attorney Form is a legal instrument that allows an individual, referred to as the principal, to designate another person, known as the agent or attorney-in-fact, to make decisions and act on their behalf. This document is designed to ensure that the principal's financial, property, or healthcare affairs are managed according to their wishes, particularly in events where they may be absent or incapacitated. By executing this form, the principal delegates specific authority to the agent, which can range from handling a single transaction to managing all legal and medical matters. It is a fundamental component of estate planning in Iowa, governed by specific state statutes to ensure validity and enforceability.

Legal Framework: Iowa Code and Federal Laws

The legal structure governing the Iowa Power of Attorney Form is primarily found in the Iowa Uniform Power of Attorney Act, located in Iowa Code Chapter 633B. This statute outlines the creation, validity, and modification of financial powers of attorney. It establishes that a power of attorney must be signed by the principal or in the principal's conscious presence by another individual directed by the principal. For the document to be acknowledged legally, it must be notarized. The Act also defines the fiduciary duties of the agent, requiring them to act in good faith, within the scope of authority, and according to the principal's reasonable expectations.

Regarding healthcare decisions, the relevant statute is Iowa Code Chapter 144B, known as the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. This law permits an adult to designate an agent to make medical decisions if they are unable to do so. Federal laws also intersect with these state statutes; specifically, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient privacy. A valid healthcare power of attorney usually includes a HIPAA release clause, authorizing the agent to access the principal's medical records to make informed decisions.

Required Elements of a Valid Iowa Power of Attorney Form

To ensure that an Iowa Power of Attorney Form is legally binding and accepted by third parties such as banks or hospitals, it must adhere to strict formatting and execution standards. The requirements differ slightly between financial and healthcare documents.

  • Principal's Competency: The principal must be of legal age (18 years or older) and of sound mind at the time of signing.
  • Clear Designation of Agent: The full legal name of the attorney-in-fact must be clearly stated.
  • Notarization (Financial): Under Iowa Code § 633B.105, a signature on a power of attorney is presumed genuine if the principal acknowledges the signature before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments.
  • Witnessing (Health Care): Pursuant to Iowa Code § 144B.3, a healthcare power of attorney must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are at least 18 years old or acknowledged before a notary public. Witnesses cannot be the designated attorney-in-fact or healthcare providers involved in the patient's care.
  • Specific Language: The document should explicitly state whether it is durable (surviving incapacity) and define the effective date.

Agent Responsibilities and Fiduciary Duties

When an individual accepts the role of an agent under an Iowa Power of Attorney Form, they assume a fiduciary relationship with the principal. This carries significant legal obligations. The agent is required to act loyally for the principal's benefit and avoid conflicts of interest that impair their ability to act impartially. They must keep the principal's property separate from their own and maintain detailed records of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions made on the principal's behalf. If an agent breaches these duties, they may be liable to the principal or the principal's successors for restoring the value of the property and for attorney fees and costs.

How to Execute an Iowa Power of Attorney Form

Completing this document requires careful consideration and adherence to procedural steps to ensure it functions as intended.

Step 1: Select a Trustworthy Agent – Choose an individual who is responsible, organized, and willing to act in your best interest. It is advisable to select a successor agent in case the primary agent is unable or unwilling to serve.

Step 2: Determine the Scope of Authority – Decide whether the agent should have general powers or limited authority. For healthcare, ensure the document aligns with your living will or end-of-life preferences.

Step 3: Draft the Document – Obtain the correct Iowa Power of Attorney Form. Iowa provides statutory forms for both financial (Section 633B.301) and healthcare (Chapter 144B) purposes.

Step 4: Sign Before a Notary or Witnesses – For financial powers, sign the document in the presence of a notary public. For healthcare powers, sign before two eligible witnesses or a notary public.

Step 5: Distribute Copies – Provide copies to the agent, successor agents, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. Keep the original in a safe, accessible location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, the document does not need to be recorded with the county recorder to be valid. However, if the agent is granted the authority to handle real estate transactions, such as selling or mortgaging property, the power of attorney must usually be recorded in the county where the real estate is located.
Yes, as long as you are mentally competent, you can revoke a power of attorney at any time. Revocation should be done in writing, and notice must be delivered to the agent and any third parties, such as banks or hospitals, that have a copy of the original document.
Yes, all authority granted under an Iowa Power of Attorney Form terminates immediately upon the death of the principal. After death, the management of the deceased's estate becomes the responsibility of the executor or administrator named in the will or appointed by the probate court.
Yes, Iowa law allows you to appoint co-agents who can act independently or who must act jointly, depending on how you draft the document. If the document does not specify, co-agents may exercise their authority independently.
If you become incapacitated without a valid power of attorney, your family or interested parties may need to petition the court to appoint a guardian or conservator to manage your affairs. This process can be time-consuming, expensive, and public, unlike the private arrangement of a power of attorney.
generally, yes. Under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, if a power of attorney was validly executed in another state in compliance with that state's laws, it is typically recognized as valid in Iowa.

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