Georgia Power of Attorney Laws

If you want someone to be able to deposit your checks at your bank, file your taxes, or even sell or mortgage your home, you can create a handy document called a power of attorney (POA). A POA is a simple document that grants specific powers to someone you trust—called an "agent" or "attorney-in-fact"—to handle certain matters for you. The person who creates the POA is called the "principal."

What Types of Powers of Attorney Are Available in Georgia?

You can make several different types of POAs in Georgia. In particular, many estate plans include two POAs:

• a financial POA, which allows someone to handle your financial or business matters, and
• a health care POA, which allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. (In Georgia, the health care POA is combined with a living will in a larger document called an "advance health care directive.")

In most estate plans, these POAs are what are known as "durable" POAs, which means that they retain their effectiveness even after you're incapacitated. It's a good idea for most people to create these two documents, as they help plan for the unexpected.

To learn about other types of POAs, including non-durable (limited) and springing POAs, see What Is a Power of Attorney? Below, learn how to create a durable financial POA that is valid in Georgia.

What Are the Legal Requirements of a Financial POA in Georgia?

For your POA to be valid in Georgia, it must meet certain requirements.

Mental Capacity for Creating a POA

The person making a power of attorney must be of sound mind. The exact contours of this mental capacity requirement are open to interpretation by Georgia courts. If you're helping someone make a POA and you have questions about whether they meet the mental capacity requirement, you should consult a lawyer.

Notarization and Witnessing Requirement

To make a POA in Georgia, you must sign the POA in the presence a notary public and one witness. The notary public and witness must be two separate people, and neither of them can be named as an agent in your POA. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-5 (2024).)

Steps for Making a Financial Power of Attorney in Georgia

1. Create the POA Using a Form, Software, or Attorney

Georgia has a statutory form for a financial POA that you can use. The form allows you to designate an agent (and co-agents and successor agents) and the powers you're giving your agent. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-70 (2024).)

Some private companies also offer forms or templates with blanks that you can fill out to create your POA. For a more user-friendly experience, you can try a software program like WillMaker, which guides you through a series of questions to arrive at a POA that meets your specific aims and is valid in your state. You can also hire a Georgia lawyer to create a POA for you. Many lawyers will include durable POAs as part of a more comprehensive estate plan alongside a will or living trust.

Whatever method you choose, the process of making the POA will include either granting your agent comprehensive powers or initialing, from a list, each specific power you want your agent to have. For example, you might choose to grant your agent the power to act for you with respect to these subject areas:

• real property
• banks and other financial institutions
• retirement plans
• stocks and bonds
• operation of an entity or business
• benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service, and
• taxes.

In Georgia, your POA is durable by default unless it explicitly states that it terminates when you become incapacitated. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-4 (2024).)

2. Sign the POA in the Presence of a Notary Public and Witness

As mentioned above, you can't simply sign the document and call it a day. In Georgia, you must have the POA notarized and witnessed.

3. Store the Original POA in a Safe Place

Once you have completed the POA, store the original in a safe place that your loved ones can easily access, and let them know where to find it. (It won't do much good locked away in a safe that no one can get into.) If you become incapacitated, your agent might need the original POA to act on your behalf.

4. Give a Copy to Your Agent or Attorney-in-Fact

You should also give a copy of the power of attorney to your agent so that your agent is familiar with the contents of the document.

5. File a Copy With the Clerk of the Superior Court

If you initialed "real property," giving your agent the power to conduct transactions with real estate, you should also file a copy of your POA in the land records office (called the clerk of the superior court in Georgia) in the county where you own real estate. This will allow the clerk of the superior court to recognize your agent's authority if your agent ever needs to sell, mortgage, or transfer real estate for you.

6. Consider Giving a Copy to Financial Institutions

You can also give copies of your durable financial POA to banks or other institutions that your agent might need to deal with in the future. This step might eliminate some hassles for your agent if your agent ever needs to use the POA. Banks can sometimes be finicky about accepting POAs; see Can Banks Refuse a Power of Attorney? for more details.

Who Can Be Named an Agent (Attorney-in-Fact) in Georgia?

Legally speaking, you can name any competent adult to serve as your agent. But you'll want to take into account certain practical considerations, such as the person's trustworthiness and geographical location. For more on choosing agents, see What Is a Power of Attorney?

Georgia allows you to appoint co-agents who are authorized to act at the same time, but it's usually advisable to stick to just one agent to minimize potential conflicts. However, naming a "successor" agent—an alternate who will become your agent if your first choice is unavailable for any reason—is always a good idea, as it creates a backup plan. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-11 (2024).)

When Does My Durable Financial POA Take Effect?

Your POA is effective immediately unless it explicitly states that it takes effect at a future date. It's possible to create a condition that must be satisfied before the POA becomes effective—such as a doctor declaring that you're incapacitated—but there are many reasons why this type of "springing" power of attorney isn't usually advised. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-9 (2024).)

When Does My Financial Power of Attorney End?

Any power of attorney automatically ends at the principal's death. Your durable POA also will end if:

• You revoke it. As long as you're mentally competent, you can revoke your document at any time.
• You become incapacitated, and your POA isn't durable. But remember that all POAs are considered durable unless the POA specifically states that it isn't.
• No agent is available. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, you can name a successor (alternate) agent in your document.
• There's a termination date. If the POA lists a termination date, it will end on that date.
• The POA's purpose is accomplished. If your POA gives authority for a specific purpose—like selling one piece of real estate—it will end after the purpose (the sale of the real estate) is accomplished.
• A court invalidates your document. It's rare, but a court might declare your document invalid if it concludes that you weren't mentally competent when you signed it, or that you were the victim of fraud or undue influence.

(Ga. Code § 10-6B-10 (2024).)

Additionally, in Georgia, if your spouse is named as your agent in your POA, that designation automatically ends if you or your spouse files for divorce—unless your POA states otherwise. To be clear, your ex-spouse's authority to act as your agent ends, but your POA is still intact. So, if you named a successor agent, that person would become your agent instead. (Ga. Code § 10-6B-10 (2024).)

For more on Georgia estate planning issues, see our section on Georgia Estate Planning.