Free Idaho Power of Attorney Forms
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows one person, identified as the principal, to empower another, referred to as an agent, to make legal, financial, or healthcare decisions on the principal’s behalf. The extent of authority will depend on the type of document the principal signed.
Here is everything you need to know about the types of powers of attorney in Idaho.
Idaho Power of Attorney By Type
What type of POA do you need in Idaho? It will depend on the type of authority you need to give the person you choose as your agent. Two of the most often used POAs are the durable power of attorney and the medical power of attorney.
- Durable Power of Attorney - if you want your POA to remain valid in the event that the principal has become mentally incompetent, sign a durable POA. This type of document is geared towards the continuous management of the principal’s business and legal affairs through an agent.
- Medical or Healthcare Power of Attorney - the document acts as an agent’s basis of authority in carrying out the principal’s healthcare wishes when they can no longer decide for themselves. The agent will arrange the principal’s medications, treatments, procedures, and living arrangements. In some cases, the agent will also decide on the principal’s end-of-life care.
How To Get a Power of Attorney in Idaho
There are two ways to get a power of attorney in Idaho. You can go to a local law firm and specify what you need so that they can create the legal document for you. On the other hand, you can also download a printable Idaho POA template. This second option is cheaper and more convenient. Once you have your POA form, sign it according to state guidelines and write the date.
Idaho Power of Attorney Laws
- Idaho Statutes Title 15: Uniform Probate Code, Chapter 12: Uniform Power of Attorney Act - the law provides guidelines on how to create a POA in Idaho. It describes a durable POA as: “A power of attorney created under this chapter is durable unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal” (ID Code §15-12-104).
- Idaho Statutes Title 39: Health and Safety, Chapter 45: The Medical Consent and Natural Death Act - POAs grant agents authority in several areas of the principal’s life. However, they do not cover health-related issues. If you would like your proxy to act on your behalf regarding medical matters, you will need a separate healthcare POA. In Idaho, this is called an Advance Care Planning Document. The law prescribes, “Any competent person aged 18 years or older may execute an advance care planning document” (ID Code §39-4510).