What Is an Alaska Minor (Child) Power of Attorney
An Alaska minor (child) power of attorney (Form PG-701) allows a parent or guardian to appoint another adult to temporarily care for their child. Under AK Stat § 13.26.066, a parent or guardian can transfer limited authority to this trusted person. This may mean taking care of everyday responsibilities involving the child, such as:
- Handling school matters
- Making decisions about the child’s medical treatment
- Providing general supervision and care
Parents in Alaska may use this form when they are unavailable for a short period. This could be due to illness, travel, or military deployment.
It is important to note that an Alaska minor power of attorney is temporary and does not create guardianship. According to the Alaska Court System’s information on delegation of parental powers, parents do not need a court order to create this document. And, the parents still remain the legal guardians of the child. An Alaska minor power of attorney may not terminate parental rights. It may also not give the agent the power to consent to the child’s marriage, adoption, or performance of an abortion.
If you need to give long-term or court-recognized authority, a temporary guardianship agreement may be more appropriate.
Legal Requirements for an Alaska Power of Attorney Over a Minor by Parent or Guardian
To create a minor power of attorney in Alaska, there are certain rules and requirements you should follow. These rules outline who can create the form, whether notarization is required, and what decisions the caregiver can make on behalf of the child.
Parent Or Guardian Authority
Only a parent or legal guardian may create an Alaska minor power of attorney (AK Stat § 13.26.066). Note that signing the form does not remove parental authority over a child’s care or custody.
Caregiver Eligibility
The caregiver that the parents choose does not have to be a family member. However, most parents choose someone who already knows the child. This could be a grandparent, a family friend, or another adult they trust and consider responsible.
Signing and Notarization
An Alaska minor power of attorney should be signed by the parent or legal guardian in the presence of a notary public (AK Stat § 13.26.066). You can use Legal Templates’s free Alaska notary acknowledgment form if needed.
How Long Does an Alaska Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Last?
An Alaska power of attorney over a minor by a parent or guardian is meant to be temporary. Under AK Stat § 13.26.066, a parent or a legal guardian can delegate powers over a minor child for up to one year. After that period ends, a new document may need to be created if the arrangement should continue.
There is one exception to this rule, however. A military parent or guardian on active military duty may create a minor power of attorney in Alaska that lasts longer than one year. Note that, even then, it cannot continue beyond the active-duty period plus 30 days, as per AK Stat § 13.26.066(c) (d).
Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to include both the start and end dates on the document to avoid confusion.
How to Revoke a Power of Attorney for a Minor (Child) in Alaska
A parent or a guardian may revoke an Alaska minor power of attorney at any time. Alaska law also allows a parent to revoke a minor POA document created by another parent. Also, a guardian can revoke a form created by another guardian.
You should revoke the power of attorney in writing to create a clear record that the caregiver’s authority has ended. Make sure to notify anyone who relied on the document, such as the child’s school or health care provider.
Sample Alaska Minor (Child) Power of Attorney
See a sample Alaska minor (child) power of attorney from below to better understand how temporary caregiving authority may be delegated. Once you’re ready, you can use our step-by-step questionnaire to customize and download yours in PDF or Word format.
