Power of Attorney in Washington State: How It Works

A power of attorney in Washington gives someone the authority to make medical or financial decisions for you.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.


The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

Updated · 1 min read
Profile photo of Dalia Ramirez
Written by Dalia Ramirez
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Tina Orem
Edited by Tina Orem
Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

A power of attorney, or POA, in Washington state is a legal document that gives someone else — called an “agent” or “attorney-in-fact” — the authority to make medical or financial decisions for you. In Washington, you’ll need your document signed by a notary public or two witnesses.

Each state has its own POA requirements. Here’s what to know about the POA types in Washington and how to get one.

What are the requirements for a power of attorney in Washington state?

A POA document in Washington must meet the following requirements:

  • You, the “principal” of the arrangement, must be at least 18 years old.

  • You (the principal) must have the mental capacity to understand the terms of the POA.

  • The agent(s) must also be a competent adult.

  • The POA must be signed by either a notary public (or other authorized official) or two competent adult witnesses who aren't the agent, related to the principal or long-term care providers for the principal

    Washington State Legislature. Power of attorney Requirements. Accessed Aug 31, 2023.
    .

  • If you name co-agents, they must act jointly (make all decisions together) unless you specify otherwise in the POA.

Types of POAs in Washington state

These are the main types of POA in Washington:

  • Financial POA: This type allows your agent to manage your financial affairs, which can include banking, lending and paying bills. You can create specific, limited POAs for financial matters such as taxes and vehicle maintenance.

  • Medical POA: Sometimes called a health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC), this type gives your agent the power to make decisions about your medical care. A medical POA should be designated as durable; it typically takes effect if you become incapacitated.

  • Minor POA: In Washington, you can give someone the authority to make decisions for your minor child for anywhere from one day to two years. If you need someone to have these powers for longer, you may want to consider guardianship.

Advertisement
Trust & Will - Will

GoodTrust

LegalZoom - Last Will

Price (one-time)

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples.

Price (one-time)

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.

Price (one-time)

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.

Price (annual)

$19 annual membership fee.

Price (annual)

$39

Price (annual)

$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.

Access to attorney support

Yes

Access to attorney support

No

Access to attorney support

Yes

A power of attorney in Washington can also be classified as one of the following types:

  • Durable POA: This type of POA stays effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated. In Washington, POAs aren’t durable by default, so you’ll need to specify that you want your medical or financial POA to be durable with the following words: “This power of attorney shall not be affected by disability of the principal" or "This power of attorney shall become effective upon the disability of the principal"

    Washington State Legislature. Power of attorney Termination. Accessed Aug 31, 2023.
    .

  • Springing POA: This type becomes effective when certain conditions are met, such as when the principal becomes incapacitated or leaves the country.

  • General POA: This type gives someone broad authority to make decisions in your best interest and doesn’t limit the agent to specific tasks. In Washington, this is typically for financial POAs.

  • Limited (special) POA: This type gives the agent the authority to take action only in specific categories, such as filing your taxes or paying your bills while you’re traveling. In Washington, you can use a limited POA to assign someone responsibility for a minor child for up to two years.

Steps for getting a POA in Washington state

Here’s how to draft a valid power of attorney in Washington:

  1. Decide which type of POA you need, including whether it should be durable and whether you want your agent to have limited or general authority.

  2. Choose your agent. This should be a competent adult whom you trust. If desired, you can name a successor agent in case your original agent isn’t available.

  3. Fill out the correct POA form with an estate planning attorney, by using online estate planning software, or by downloading a free state-specific form.

  4. Have your form signed by either a notary public or two witnesses.

  5. Keep the original in a safe place and give copies to your agent and any relevant financial institutions or medical providers. In Washington, you can choose to file your POA with the state, though it’s not required.

What are the power of attorney requirements in my state?

See the requirements for creating a valid power of attorney in these states:

Frequently asked questions

The cost of a POA can vary depending on if you hire an attorney, which can cost around $300 on average. You can find free POA forms online, but an attorney may be worth it to help you navigate the specific language for your needs. Notarization costs $10 in Washington, and it costs $98 to register your POA with the state (though this isn’t required).

In Washington, you can grant someone a POA to file your taxes for you. However, the agent will not be held financially liable for mistakes, so make sure your agent is a tax professional or similarly responsible person. If someone has the authority to handle your state taxes, they may need to manage your federal taxes as well.

In Washington, a POA ends if any of these things happen:

  • The principal dies or revokes the POA.

  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns.

  • The agent and the principal were married but then get separated or divorced.

  • The principal becomes incapacitated but the POA isn't durable.

Compare online will makers

Advertisement
Company
NerdWallet
rating
Price
(one-time)
Price
(annual)
Access to
attorney support
Learn more
Ease of use
Trust & Will - Will
Trust & Will - Will
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples. $19 annual membership fee.Yes
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Digital Assets
GoodTrust
GoodTrust
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.$39No
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

State-specific legal advice
LegalZoom - Last Will
LegalZoom - Last Will
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.Yes
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Comprehensive services
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Get started

on Nolo's website

None$99 to $209 per year.No
Get started

on Nolo's website

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.