A Maine power of attorney allows you to have someone temporarily manage your affairs or plan for the future. The person giving this power is the “principal,” and the person chosen to make decisions is the “agent.”
Laws & Requirements
Statute: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C, Article 5, Part 9.
Signing Requirements: The principal must sign the form or instruct someone else to sign their name in their presence. The document must then be notarized (§ 5-905).
Maine Power of Attorney – By Type
General (Financial) Power of Attorney
Gives the principal the ability to pass financial control on to an agent of their choosing.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Medical Power of Attorney
Combines a living will and a durable power of attorney, enabling the agent to make all future decisions after the principal becomes incapacitated.
Signing Requirements: Two witnesses (§ 5-803).
Durable Power of Attorney
Stays in effect even when the principal becomes incapacitated, unlike a general one which is "non-durable" by default.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Limited Power of Attorney
Allows the principal to give limited powers to an agent for specific tasks, and typically ends when those tasks are complete.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Tax Power of Attorney (Form ME-2848)
Appoint a representative to handle tax-related matters, such as filings and inquiries.
Signing Requirements: Taxpayer(s) and representative(s).
Vehicle Power of Attorney
Allow an agent to carry out vehicle-related transactions, such as ownership transfers, on behalf of the principal.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Real Estate Power of Attorney
Use this to appoint an agent for real estate matters like buying, selling, refinancing, or managing property.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Minor (Child) Power of Attorney
Use this for temporary child care decisions by a third party when parents are unavailable.
Signing Requirements: Notary public.
Revocation of Power of Attorney
Terminate a previous power of attorney agreement to end the agent’s authority.
Signing Requirements: Two witnesses and/or notary public (recommended).
