What Is a Pennsylvania Minor (Child) Power of Attorney?
A Pennsylvania minor (child) power of attorney is a legal document that allows a parent to choose a trusted adult to care for their child. This document provides only temporary caregiving authority. It does not transfer legal custody or end parental rights.
Parents often use this form when they need short-term help caring for their children, such as when they are:
- Traveling for work or personal reasons
- Recovering from an illness or medical procedure
- Handling temporary work obligations
Pennsylvania does not have a specific statute that governs minor (child) power of attorney forms. However, the form must meet the general execution requirements under 20 PA Cons Stat § 5601.
Legal Requirements for a Minor (Child) Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Here are the requirements your Pennsylvania parental power of attorney must follow.
- Only a parent or a legal guardian can create a Pennsylvania minor (child) power of attorney form.
- The agent must be at least 18 years old and should be a trusted adult who can care for the child.
- The document must be signed by the parent or legal guardian. It must also be witnessed by two adults and acknowledged before a notary public as per 20 PA Cons Stat § 5601(b).
How Long Can a Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Last in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law does not set a specific time limit for a minor (child) power of attorney. Parents typically include a start date and expiration date in the document to show how long the caregiver’s authority lasts. Since these forms are intended for temporary caregiving arrangements, many parents limit the authority to a few weeks or several months. If the arrangement is no longer needed, a parent or legal guardian can revoke the power of attorney at any time by completing a revocation form.
Sample Pennsylvania Minor (Child) Power of Attorney
View a sample Pennsylvania minor (child) power of attorney form below to see how you can assign care-giving authority to a trusted adult. Then, use Legal Templates’s step-by-step questionnaire to fill out your details correctly. Once you’re done, download the form as a PDF or Word file.
