Are You Preparing a Power of Attorney for a Loved One? Here’s What You Need to Know

Jan Brandi
Mar 7
3 min read

If you’re in the process of setting up a Power of Attorney (POA) for a loved one, you may have questions about the notarization and witnessing requirements. This legal document plays a crucial role in allowing a designated person to make financial, medical, or legal decisions on behalf of another individual. However, many people are unsure about the proper steps to ensure the document is valid and legally binding.

At Clearwater Mobile Notary, we frequently assist clients with Power of Attorney notarizations, and one of the most common points of confusion is the witnessing process. Below, we break down the essentials to help you navigate this process smoothly.

A Power of Attorney notarization can be a crucial step in ensuring your loved ones' affairs are in order. We’re here to guide you through it with reliable and efficient notary services. 🏛️ — A **Power of Attorney** notarization can be a crucial step in ensuring your loved ones' affairs are in order. We’re here to guide you through it with **reliable and efficient notary services.** 🏛️

Witnessing Requirements for a Power of Attorney

For a Power of Attorney to be notarized in Florida, you must have two witnesses present at the time of signing. Here are the key requirements for choosing appropriate witnesses:

✅ Witnesses cannot be affiliated with the document. This means they should not be beneficiaries or individuals with any vested interest in the POA.

✅ A friend or neighbor is an ideal choice. Family members, especially those directly involved in the POA, are generally not allowed to serve as witnesses.

✅ The notary cannot serve as a witness. While we can guide you through the process, we are not permitted to sign as a witness in most cases.

Be Cautious of Online POA Forms

Many websites offer Power of Attorney templates, but not all of them meet state-specific legal requirements. If you’re using an online document, we strongly recommend verifying its validity with a trusted legal professional before signing.

To ensure your POA is legally binding and properly executed, you may want to consult a trusted attorney who specializes in elder law and estate planning. One highly regarded option in the Clearwater area is The Hernandez Law Firm, P.A., which has over 30 years of experience in estate planning, probate, and elder law. Their team is known for providing personalized support and even offers hospital visits to assist clients in urgent situations.

📌 The Hernandez Law Firm, P.A.

📍 28059 US Highway 19N, Suite 101, Clearwater, FL 33761

📞 (727) 712-1710

🌐 www.thehernandezlaw.com

The Hernandez Law Firm, P.A., which has over 30 years of experience in estate planning, probate, and elder law. — **The Hernandez Law Firm, P.A.**, which has over 30 years of experience in **estate planning, probate, and elder law**.

Support for Families Managing Long-Distance Care

If you live out of state and have a loved one in Florida who needs assistance, you might consider working with a certified case manager to help coordinate their care. Julie’s Case Management, led by Julie Adair, specializes in senior care planning, medical appointment coordination, and in-home care assistance.

Julie and her team provide:

✔️ Coordination of doctor’s appointments and in-home care

✔️ Assistance with keeping your loved one safe and comfortable at home

✔️ Expanding services with nurses and CNAs to provide 24/7 care

📌 Julie’s Case Management

📞 (727) 498-3587

📧 Juliescasemanagement@gmail.com

📍 Tampa Bay, FL

Julie’s Case Management, led by Julie Adair, specializes in senior care planning, medical appointment coordination, and in-home care assistance. — **Julie’s Case Management**, led by **Julie Adair**, specializes in **senior care planning, medical appointment coordination, and in-home care assistance**.

How Clearwater Mobile Notary Can Help

At Clearwater Mobile Notary, we understand that handling Power of Attorney (POA) documents can be complex and time-sensitive. Whether you're preparing for the future, assisting a loved one, or managing urgent legal matters, we make the notarization process easy, convenient, and stress-free by bringing our services directly to you.

Taking care of your loved ones should be stress-free. Let us help you navigate this process with confidence.

Why Choose Us?

✅ Same-Day Notarization – Fast & ReliableWe offer same-day appointments to ensure your documents are legally binding without delays.

✅ We Come to You – Mobile Notary ServiceOur professional notaries travel to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, private residences, and offices to accommodate clients who need notarization on-site.

✅ Remote Online Notarization (RON) – Coming Soon!For clients out of state or unable to meet in person, we will soon offer secure online notarization, allowing you to complete the process from anywhere in the U.S.