Free Wyoming Power of Attorney Forms
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes a chosen individual (the agent) to make healthcare and financial decisions on behalf of another person (the principal).
In Wyoming, utilizing a POA ensures that your financial, medical, and personal decisions are made according to your wishes.
This includes when you're not in a position to make those decisions yourself.
Wyoming Power of Attorney by Type
There are two common types of POAs you can use in Wyoming. Each covers different key elements, including:
- Your finances
- Your health
Each type offers specific powers and peace of mind, ensuring that your affairs are managed according to your preferences.
- Durable Power of Attorney: This type of POA remains in effect even if you become incapacitated or incompetent (§3-9-102(a)(ii)), ensuring that the agent can continue to make decisions on your behalf. It's particularly useful for managing financial and legal matters, providing a safety net that your affairs are in trusted hands.
- Medical Power of Attorney: A medical POA focuses on healthcare decisions. It allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring that your medical treatment preferences are respected and followed.
How to Get a Power of Attorney in Wyoming
Setting up a Power of Attorney in Wyoming involves a pair of steps to ensure that your document is legally valid and reflects your wishes accurately.
Follow these steps to get your Power of Attorney:
- Determine the type of POA that best suits your needs
- Create the document with clear terms
Use a state-specific, printable POA template to simplify the process, providing a straightforward path to creating a document tailored to Wyoming's laws.
Once you finish drafting it, **ensure it meets all legal requirements **specific to Wyoming.
Wyoming Power of Attorney Laws
In Wyoming, legal acts and statutes determine how you can create and use a POA in the state.
Wyoming has adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (WY Stat § 3-9-101), which allows you to create a Power of Attorney and use it in a state that has also adopted the act.
For Durable Powers of Attorney, Wyoming law mandates that the document must be notarized to be considered valid (WY Stat § 3-9-105).
When it comes to putting a Medical Powers of Attorney into effect in Wyoming, you will need to have a notary present when signing or two witnesses (WY Stat § 35-22-403).
These witnesses cannot be:
- The treating healthcare provider
- Their employee
- The attorney-in-fact
- The operator or employee of a community care facility
- The operator or employee of a residential care facility