Updated October 11, 2023
A Rhode Island durable statutory power of attorney form is used to transfer authority over financial acts from one person (“principal”) to someone else (“agent”). The principal can choose more than one agent to act on their behalf and select to have them work jointly or severally. If severally, the 2nd agent would only be able to step in if the 1st agent is not able to act in a timely manner or is unavailable. After the form is acknowledged and signed in front of a notary public, the form may be used by the agent.
Table of Contents |
Laws
Chapter 18-16 (Short Form Power of Attorney Act)
Definition of “Durable”
Rhode Island law does not define “durable” but permits a principal to set the duration of a power of attorney (§ 18-16-2).
Definition of “Power of Attorney”
“Power of attorney” is not explicitly, defined, but the state’s statutory form permits a principal to specify the powers he or she is delegating to the attorney-in-fact (§ 18-16-2).
Signing Requirements
The principal must sign and have their signature acknowledged in the presence of a notary public (§ 18-16-2).
Statutory Form
The Rhode Island legislature has created a sample power of attorney form available at § 18-16-2 of the Rhode Island General Laws.
Related Forms
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