Updated August 08, 2023
An Arizona general power of attorney (GPOA) is a document that outlines a principal’s interest in having someone else represent his or her financial activity. Unlike the durable version, a GPOA is no longer able to be used if the principal should become incapacitated.
A GPOA is common between business partners to act on the other’s behalf if they should not be able to do it themselves.
Laws
- Statutes – Powers of Attorney (§§ 14-5501 — 14-5507)
- Signing Requirements (A.R.S. § 14-5501) – One (1) Witness and Notary Public.
How to Write
1 – Download the Arizona General Power of Attorney
Download: PDF
2 – Choose the Type of Power of Attorney To Be Granted
In Item 1, the Principal must select one of the boxes at the top of the page indicating the type of document the principal prefers. Place a mark in the check box labeled “General Regular Power of Attorney…” or “General Durable Power of Attorney…”
3 – Define The Principal and Attorney-in-fact
Use the areas in Item 2 to define the Principal and the Attorney-In-Fact receiving Principal Authority. The first line of this section will be devoted to the Principal’s information and must have the Principal Name, Address of Residence, City, State, Zip Code, and Date of Birth entered across the first row in their corresponding columns.
The second line, “Agent/Attorney-In-Fact,” will require similar information as that reported on the Principal. In the first column, report the Full Name of the Agent/Attorney-In-Fact.” Then, report this Agent’s Address of Residence, City, State, and Zip Code in the appropriately labeled columns. Finally, in the last column, report the Agent’s Date of Birth. 
4 – Mark the Sections That Define The Principal Authority Delegated To the Attorney-In-Fact
This section will define what type of Authority is being granted. One or all of these options may be selected by placing a mark in the appropriate check box.
If the Principal wishes to delegate Authority to the Attorney-In-Fact regarding his or her Personal Finances, then mark Item “a” (“Personal Finance”).
If the Principal will grant Authority to the Attorney-In-Fact over his or her Real Property, then mark Item “b” (“Real Property”).
If the Principal expects to release Authority to the Attorney-In-Fact relating to the Principal’s Personal Property, then mark Item “c” (“Personal Property”).
If the Principal intends to grant Authority over his or her Business Transactions to the Attorney-In-Fact, then mark Item “d” (“Business Transactions”).
If the Principal will grant the Attorney-In-Fact the Authority “to do and perform any and all acts required” then mark item “e.”
5 – Providing a Time Frame to the Power of Attorney
This section requires a definition of when and for how long the Principal intends the Attorney-In-Fact to retain the responsibility and Authority granted. This may be indicated by marking the appropriate check box then filling in any required information for that choice.
If the Principal wishes to define a specific Time Frame, then mark the box labeled “General Regular Power of Attorney.” This selection will require the Start Date and End Date of this period to be defined in the paragraph labeled “Effective Date.”
If the Principal intends for the Agent to hold Authority until this document is revoked or until the Principal’s death, then mark the check box labeled “General Durable Power of Attorney.” This will only require the Start Date of this Authority to be reported in the statement labeled “Effective Date.”
6 – Verifying Principal Intentions
The Signing of this document requires the presence of the Principal, a Witness, and a Notary Public.
The top of the next page will contain a paragraph confirming the Principal’s intentions with this document. Locate the paragraph labeled “For Principal.” The Principal’s Full Name must be reported on the first blank line. This must be followed the Calendar Date displayed on the next blank line and the Month/Year this document is being Signed on the third blank line. Finally, the Principal must Sign his or her Name on the “Principal” Signature Line immediately following this paragraph.
Now, find the term “For Witness.” The person who is physically witnessing the Principal’s Signature must have his or her Name reported on the blank space in this paragraph. Also, the blank line labeled “Witness” must bear this party’s Signature.
The Notary shall then complete the remainder of the document and will acknowledge the authenticity of the document by affixing their state seal to the document.