General Power of Attorney — Word & PDF Template

This general power of attorney template lets a person (the donor) appoint an attorney to act on their behalf in financial and property matters. It sets out the scope of authority, any exclusions, the duration and how the power can be revoked, giving individuals in England and Wales a clear, properly executed document for short-term or specific authority.

Who is this template for?

It suits individuals who need someone to handle their financial affairs temporarily — for example while abroad, in hospital or otherwise unavailable — and anyone appointing a trusted attorney for a defined purpose. Note that a general power of attorney does not continue if the donor loses mental capacity; a lasting power of attorney is needed for that.

What does the template include?

The document is built from clear, ready-to-complete sections:

• Important Notice — key information about how the power works and its limits.
• The Donor — identifies the person granting the power.
• The Attorney — identifies the person appointed to act.
• Scope of Authority — the powers granted to the attorney.
• Specific Exclusions — matters the attorney may not deal with.
• Duration — how long the power lasts.
• Attorney’s Obligations — the attorney’s duties and standard of care.
• Revocation — how the donor can revoke the power.
• Third Parties — reliance by banks and others on the power.
• Governing Law — confirms England and Wales law applies.
• Execution — correct signing formalities for a deed.

Easy to customise

The template opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice. Fill in the highlighted fields, set the scope and any exclusions, tick the relevant options and edit any clause to suit your needs.

Format and scope

Download instantly as an editable Word (.docx) file and a print-ready PDF, formatted to A4. Written in plain British English with light, general references to England and Wales law on powers of attorney.