A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person, called the “agent,” the ability to act legally on your or someone else’s behalf, known as “the principal.” This often means the ability to decide health, finance, and property matters when you’re not present or able to make these decisions for yourself.
In Hawaii (HI), you have more than one type of power of attorney to consider.
Having the right type of power of attorney and using the correct form will help you protect yourself based on your specific circumstances.
Hawaii (HI) Power of Attorney Documents
Hawaii Power of Attorney for Minor Child
A power of attorney for minors gives you the ability to sign temporary parental responsibility for your minor child to an agent. You might use this document if you are traveling and need someone to make decisions for your child while you are gone.
How to Get Power of Attorney in Hawaii
To get the power of attorney, the agent and the principal discuss which powers need to be given. Then, both parties fill out a power of attorney form.
To create and sign a Hawaii power of attorney document, the individual must be an adult who can read and understand the document.
Hawaii’s power of attorney document must comply with the rules outlined in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act CHAPTER 551E.
Hawaii Power of Attorney Requirements
For a power of attorney to be legal in Hawaii, it must:
- be signed by the principal, if possible
- be dated
- be signed in the presence of two or more adult witnesses
- be notarized
The witness to the document needs to be someone with no vested interest in it. This means the witness cannot be the agent or someone involved in the medical decisions of the principal (e.g., doctors treating the principal).
A power of attorney becomes effective immediately after signing, witnessing, and notarizing unless the principal adds a date or event to the document. It stays in place until a POA revocation form is completed.