Vermont Power of Attorney Laws

A durable POA allows someone to to help you with your financial matters if you ever become incapacitated—here's how to make one in Vermont.

By , Attorney · Harvard Law School
Updated by Jeff Burtka, Attorney · George Mason University Law School

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 Vermont?

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

  • a financial POA, which allows someone to handle your financial or business matters, and
  • a medical POA, which allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. (In Vermont, this document is combined with a living will into a single document called an "advance 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 Vermont.

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

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

Mental Capacity for Creating a POA

The principal (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 Vermont courts. Generally, you must be able to understand the nature and effect of your act when you authorize someone to act in your place. If you're helping someone make a POA and you're not sure if they meet the mental capacity requirement, you should consult a lawyer.

Witnessing and Notarization Requirements

If you want your POA to be enforceable, you need to make sure it's signed properly. As the principal, you must sign your POA. If you can't physically sign the POA, you can direct another person to sign it in your presence. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4005 (2023).)

As of July 2023, a witness's signature isn't required for a Vermont POA to be valid—unless the POA gives the agent the authority to conduct real estate transactions. In that case, you'll need one witness to sign your POA, and you'll need to acknowledge your POA before a notary. (Vt. Stat. tit. 27, § 305 (2023).)

Using a notary isn't required if you aren't giving your agent the authority to conduct real estate transactions. But it's still important to have your POA notarized. A notarized signature on a POA is presumed to be genuine under Vermont law, which will make it less likely that others will reject your agent's authority. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4005 (2023).)

Steps for Making a Financial Power of Attorney in Vermont

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

Vermont has a statutory form POA that you can use. If you use a notarized statutory form—or a notarized POA that is substantially similar to it—a person or business that refuses to accept your POA could be subject to a court order requiring acceptance and attorneys' fees and court costs. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4020 (2023).)

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, try WillMaker, which guides you through a series of questions to arrive at a POA (and estate plan, if you wish) that meets your specific aims and is valid in your state.

You can also hire a Vermont 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 likely include either granting your agent comprehensive powers or selecting, from a list, the specific powers you want your agent to have. For example, you might choose to grant your agent the power to engage in:

  • real estate transactions
  • banking and financial transactions
  • retirement plan transactions
  • stock, bond, and other securities transactions
  • operations of a business or entity
  • government benefits
  • tax matters
  • personal and family maintenance.

In Vermont, POAs are durable by default, unless the POA includes a specific statement that it will be terminated by the incapacity or unavailability of the principal. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4004 (2023).)

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

As mentioned above, you should have your POA witnessed and notarized.

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 attorney-in-fact might need the original POA to act on your behalf.

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

You also should 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 Town or City Clerk's Office

If you gave your agent the power to conduct transactions with real estate, you need to file a copy of your POA in the land records office (part of the town or city clerk's office in Vermont) in the town or city where you own real estate. This will allow the town clerk to recognize your agent's authority if your agent ever needs to sell, mortgage, or transfer real estate for you. (Vt. Stat. tit. 27, § 305 (2023).)

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 or Attorney-in-Fact in Vermont?

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.

Vermont 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. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4011 (2023).)

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 are incapacitated—but there are many reasons why this type of "springing" power of attorney is not usually advised. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4009 (2023).)

When Does My Financial Power of Attorney End?

Any power of attorney automatically ends at your death. A durable POA also ends if:

  • You revoke it. As long as you are mentally competent, you can revoke your document at any time.
  • 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 may declare your document invalid if it concludes that you were not mentally competent when you signed it, or that you were the victim of fraud or undue influence.

(Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4010 (2023).)

Additionally, in Vermont, if your spouse is named as your agent in your POA, that designation automatically ends if you get divorced. 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. (Vt. Stat. tit. 14, § 4010 (2023).)

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

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