Updated on September 27th, 2021
Texas power of attorney forms are documents that enable an individual to elect a representative to act and make decisions on their behalf. These forms enable the individual (referred to in the document as the principal) to elect a trusted third party (called an agent) to execute tasks in accordance with the document creator’s wishes. An example of an agent might be a trusted family member asked to oversee the principal’s end of life care, or a tax accountant hired to take care of a business owner’s tax filings. Regardless, it is the agent’s responsibility to act in a manner that serves the best interests of the principal.
By Type (10) |
Advance Directive – An advance directive is a legal instrument used to assign a health care agent and define the medical treatments and procedures to which the principal consents.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (§ 166.032 & § 166.154): Two (2) witnesses OR Notary Public
Durable Power of Attorney – This power of attorney can ensure that the agent will continue to have the authority to manage the principal’s finances even after they’ve been rendered incapacitated.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (§ 751.0021): Notary Public
General (non-durable) Power of Attorney – A non-durable power of attorney is one that terminates once the principal is incapacitated. “General” is in regard to the broad scope of the agent’s authority over the principal’s finances.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 751.0021): Notary Public
Limited Power of Attorney – The limited power of attorney form is used when an individual wants their selected agent to carry out a specific task or specific set of tasks.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 751.0021): Notary Public
Living Will – A living will is a written document that expresses the principal’s preferences for medical treatment if they are unable to communicate their wishes.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (§ 166.032): Two (2) witnesses OR Notary Public
Medical Power of Attorney – This type of power of attorney form can be completed to elect a health care representative.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (§ 166.054): Two (2) witnesses OR Notary Public
Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-271) Power of Attorney – A motor vehicle power of attorney is used by the owner of a vehicle to enlist an agent to handle certain responsibilities with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements: Vehicle owner
Minor (Child) Power of Attorney – The principal may select a trusted temporary guardian using a minor child power of attorney.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements (Sec. 34.004): Notary Public
Real Estate Power of Attorney – A power of attorney for real estate is a form that grants an agent the authority to buy and sell real estate on behalf of the principal.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Signing requirements (§ 751.0021): Notary Public
Tax (Form 01-137) Power of Attorney – Anyone managing an individual’s taxes on their behalf must be operating with a signed tax power of attorney form.
Download: Adobe PDF
Signing requirements: Taxpayer