Power of Attorney: templates and forms

For an adult in Scotland who wants someone they trust to handle their money and affairs while they can still decide for themselves — when abroad, in hospital or simply needing help. It ends if you become incapable: under section 18 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, a power that is not a continuing or welfare power has no effect while you are incapable. For that, a continuing or welfare power of attorney is certified and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland), whose guidance is the first place to look. Signed on paper before one witness.

For someone in Scotland who gave a general or one-off power of attorney and wants to end it — they no longer need it, or no longer trust the attorney. The revocation ends the power from the day you sign it, and is signed before one witness so that it is self-proving. Give a copy to the attorney and to every bank or organisation that has dealt with them, so that no one goes on relying on the power. Not for a registered continuing or welfare power of attorney: the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) explains how to end one.

For someone in Scotland who needs another person to act for them in one matter only — selling a car, signing a contract, dealing with a bank account or a property sale while they are abroad. The power names the matter, what the attorney may sign and when it ends, and is signed before one witness so that it is self-proving. Like every power that is not a registered continuing power, it has no effect while you are incapable (Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, s 18). If a letter of authority or the organisation’s own free form will do, use that first.

For someone who gave a general or one-off power of attorney and wants to end it — they no longer need it, or no longer trust the attorney. The deed revokes the power from its date and is signed in front of a witness. Give a copy to the attorney and to every bank or organisation that has dealt with them: until they know, they may still be protected if they rely on the power (Powers of Attorney Act 1971, s 5). Not for a registered lasting power of attorney.

For someone who needs another person to act for them in one matter only — selling a car, signing a contract, dealing with a bank account or a property sale while they are abroad. A deed (Powers of Attorney Act 1971, s 1) that names the matter, what the attorney may sign and when the power ends, signed in front of a witness. If a letter of authority or the organisation’s own free form will do, use that first.

For an adult who wants someone they trust to handle their money and affairs while they can still decide for themselves — when abroad, in hospital or simply needing help. A deed in the form of section 10 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971, signed in front of a witness. It stops working if you lose mental capacity; for that, make a lasting power of attorney through the Office of the Public Guardian, whose online service is the first place to look.