Cost Of Power Of Attorney
Written by Michelle N. Ogborne

How Much Does Power of Attorney Cost?

On average, power of attorney in costs about $750 with average prices ranging from $500 to $1000 in the US for 2024 to have a lawyer create a power of attorney for you according to PayingForSeniorCare. Some sites allow you to create a POA online for about $35 but you will also have to get it notarized for about $50. However, AgingCare suggests that you should have a lawyer create a POA for you as online documents come with no professional counsel, no legal witnesses, no customization, and no quality insurance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Power of Attorney?

When you come to think of legal procedures, fees and other costs need to be part of the equation. The encouraging news is that a POA (Power of Attorney) can be inexpensive.

Even though state laws and terms differ, a POA is legal in each state. A lot of states need the principal’s signature on the POA to be notarized. Many states also need the signatures of one or more witnesses to be notarized also.

A POA typically falls into one of the below 5 types:

  • Durable POA – The agent has the same power similar to a General POA, except that should the principal pass away or become disabled, the Durable POA still is in effect.
  • Medical POA – The agent is able to make medical decisions for the principal, like authorizing surgeries or making end-of-life decisions.
  • Limited or Special POA – The agent has authorization to act for the agent in specific duties, like signing real estate documentation or depositing a check. After that duty is completed, the Limited or Special POA concludes.
  • Springing Durable POA – This POA becomes effective when a specific event, like a medical condition or accident, happens. Many military personnel also utilize the Springing POA when they get deployed overseas.

A lot of lawyers charge a set fee for preparing a POA. Fees may differ according to the kind of POA, how long it is, and intricacy, nevertheless, the average expense of a power of attorney is around $300. Some lawyers charge by the hour, with the average hourly rate for a probate or family lawyer are usually in the $250 to $350 range.

Nonetheless, you also might be able to devise some POA forms online at minimal cost. Your only fees might be for the expense to notarize the signatures, if your state requires it.

Is It Necessary to Hire a Lawyer to Prepare a POA?

When your financial circumstance is straightforward, it might be unnecessary to hire a lawyer to prepare your POA documentation. A legal document that you devise from an online template might work well in a lot of cases.

Nevertheless, there are some cases when it is going to be worth your while to get professional legal counsel. Instances include:

  • Convoluted financial or real estate investments
  • Family disputes (specifically siblings or adult children) on financial issues
  • Family disputes on who should assume the role as agent

Generally, when you, being principal, want to place particular restrictions on your agent’s authority, you might need a lawyer to adjust the language in the document as a result.

Advantages of a POA Form

The most considerable advantage of utilizing an online template to devise a POA form is its savings – with regard to time and money.

Your initial step is to verify your state laws concerning this legal document. Find out if you are required to sign the document in the presence of a notary or if you require witnesses and their notarized signatures to fulfill your state’s requirements.

Following that, after going over your circumstance and the various types of POAs mentioned above, decide on the template you need for your circumstance. In a lot of cases, you can download state-specific forms for the kind of POA you require.

Don’t leave the vital decisions concerning your hard-earned assets by the wayside. By devising a POA, you are going to know your financial affairs and your medical decisions are going to be handled by somebody you trust if you are unable to make those decisions on your own.

Choose the Right Lawyer in Arizona

Remember: The decisions you make now can affect your future. Ultimately, choosing the best lawyer will depend on which lawyer feels best for you and your situation.

If you want to learn about Michelle N. Ogborne and see if she is the right attorney to represent you in your collaborative divorce in Arizona, contact us today!