A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document in Iowa that gives someone else, known as an “agent,” the power to make legal or medical decisions on behalf of an individual, known as the “principal.” These can be used in the event that the principal is unable to make medical decisions due to health or distance.
There are several types of power of attorney available in Iowa. Using the right one for your particular circumstance is important.
Table of Contents
Medical Power of Attorney – Iowa
A medical power of attorney document gives the agent the right to make healthcare and end-of-life decisions on your behalf when you cannot make them for yourself. In Iowa, it is sometimes called the Iowa durable power of attorney for healthcare form.
Download: MS Word (.docx)
Durable Power of Attorney – Iowa
A durable power of attorney remains in place if the principal becomes incapacitated. In Iowa, medical and general power of attorney documents are durable by default unless otherwise specified in the document.
Download: MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
General Power of Attorney – Iowa
A general power of attorney form gives the agent the ability to make financial decisions on behalf of the principal.
Download: MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
Iowa Department of Revenue Power of Attorney
With an Iowa Department of Revenue power of attorney, you can give a named agent the power to file taxes on your behalf or otherwise manage your tax affairs. This can also be called the Iowa tax power of attorney form.
Download: Adobe PDF
Iowa Workforce Power of Attorney
Iowa Workforce Development requires the Workforce Power of Attorney document to allow businesses to release employment information on behalf of claimants who are filing for unemployment.
Download: Adobe PDF
Recording a Power of Attorney in Iowa
The rules about power of attorney documents in Iowa are covered under Powers of Attorney, Chapter 633B, and specifically §633B.105. For the power of attorney document to be legally valid, it must:
- be signed by the principal, if possible
- be signed in the principal’s presence and under the principal’s direction by another individual, but only if the principal cannot sign
- signed before and notarized by a notary public
The notary who acknowledges the document cannot also serve as the agent. After signing, the document is immediately effective, unless it is worded to be effective at a future date or in a future event.
