A New York Power of Attorney document is a form that a person would use to transfer their decision-making authority to someone else. When conveying authority, the individual appointing someone to be their proxy is referred to as a Principal, while the person they appoint is known as their Agent. Because of the many instances where someone may need to appoint someone else as their legal proxy, these documents come in many different forms. Power of attorney documents may cover situations involving the care for minor children, tax preparation, vehicle registration, real estate needs, and more. In New York, all power of attorney documents must conform to Article 5, Title 15 of the New York Statutes which requires the principal to be at least 18 years old and the power of attorney document to be signed, dated, and witnessed or notarized according to the state's requirements.
The first piece of information that must be provided in order to complete a New York Power of Attorney is to provide the Principal's first and last name, along with his or her complete address. Next, the Agent's information will need to be filled in. This will consist of his or her first and last name, address of residence, and contact number. If the Principal wishes, they may have an alternate Agent in case the first one is unavailable or unable to complete the necessary tasks. If an alternate Agent is desired, his or her information may also be provided on the form. Next, the Agent's powers/responsibilities will be listed along with any special instructions that the Principal may have. Lastly, the Principal will sign the document. As mentioned earlier, whether or not the document needs to be signed by two (2) witnesses or be notarized depends on the state's requirements. Here are the different requirements for each type of power of attorney in New York.