I Just Finished My Estate Plan — Who Should I Give My Power of Attorney To?
Congratulations — completing your estate plan is a major step toward protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your legacy. But now that the documents are signed and notarized, you may be wondering:
Who should receive a copy of my power of attorney (POA)?
This is a critical question — because your power of attorney is only useful if the right people know about it and have access to it when it matters most.
What Does a Power of Attorney Do?
A power of attorney gives someone else the legal authority to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated. There are two common types:
- Financial Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to manage your finances, such as paying bills, accessing accounts, or handling property.
- Health Care Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to make medical decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Your designated agent (also called an “attorney-in-fact”) steps into your shoes and acts according to your wishes — but only if they know they’ve been named and can produce the document when needed.
Who Should Receive a Copy?
1. Your Named Agents
This is essential. Each person you’ve named in your POA documents — including primary and backup agents — should receive a copy and know:
- What authority they have
- When that authority begins
- Where the original document is stored
Be sure they understand your values and wishes, especially your health care preferences.
TrustHandled’s digital vault will also notify your agents and backup agents, and you can provide a copy to them through this platform.
2. Your Doctor or Primary Medical Provider
For a health care power of attorney and living will, it’s a good idea to give a copy to your:
- Primary care doctor
- Medical group or hospital system
Many medical systems will add your directives and POA to your electronic health record, making them easily accessible in emergencies.
3. Your Attorney or Estate Planner
If you worked with an attorney or used a professional platform to draft your documents, keep a copy in that file and let the provider know whom you’ve appointed.
4. Your Financial Institutions (If Applicable)
Some banks and investment firms may require their own internal POA forms. In other cases, they’ll review your POA document and keep a copy on file. If your agent may need access to specific accounts, it may help to share a copy with those institutions in advance.
5. Your Digital Vault or Document Organizer
Using a secure digital vault or shared folder is a smart way to make documents accessible to your trusted contacts without risking loss or damage. Services like TrustHandled can keep everything in one place.
Who Should NOT Get a Copy?
Avoid distributing your POA too broadly. Only those directly involved — your agents, healthcare providers, or institutions with a legitimate need — should receive copies. Oversharing creates unnecessary risk of misuse or confusion.
Don’t Forget to Store the Original Safely
Keep the original, signed copy of your power of attorney (and all other estate planning documents) in a secure place:
- A fireproof home safe
- A locked file drawer
- Your attorney’s office
- A secure digital vault (with originals noted and scanned)
Make sure your agents know how to access the original when needed.
Final Tip: Communicate
Documents are only useful if the people involved know what they say and where to find them. Talk openly with your agents and family about your choices and your wishes. It can make a world of difference when life throws the unexpected your way.
