Power of Attorney in Connecticut
What a Connecticut power of attorney needs to be valid — signing, witnesses, notary — and the official forms, plus health care directives.
Short answer: Connecticut has statutory short-form and long-form durable powers of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-350c, 1-350d, 1-352, 47-5
| Financial power of attorney | Connecticut has statutory short-form and long-form durable powers of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act. A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by someone at the principal's direction in their conscious physical presence), and signed by two witnesses. Notarization is not strictly required, but a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and a power of attorney used to convey real estate must be acknowledged and witnessed like a deed. A power of attorney is durable (it survives incapacity) unless it says otherwise. |
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| Health care directive | Any person 18 or older can sign a document with health care instructions (living will), appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator and an anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required. |
| Official power of attorney forms | Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)). Health care form: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_368w.htm |
Official forms
- Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form and Long Form (text in statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-352)
- Health care instructions and appointment of health care representative forms (text in statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 19a-575a, 19a-577)
- Health care instructions and appointment of health care representative forms (text in statute)
More Connecticut estate law
- Medical Power of Attorney in Connecticut
- Small Estate Affidavit in Connecticut
- Quitclaim Deeds and Transferring Property in Connecticut
- Who Inherits If You Die Without a Will in Connecticut
- How to Make a Valid Will in Connecticut
- How Probate Works in Connecticut
- Living Wills and Advance Directives in Connecticut
- Revocable Living Trusts in Connecticut
- Executor Duties in Connecticut
- Letters Testamentary in Connecticut
- Affidavit of Heirship in Connecticut
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- Transferring a Car After Someone Dies in Connecticut
- All Connecticut wills, probate and estate rules
FAQ
What are the requirements for a power of attorney in Connecticut?
Connecticut has statutory short-form and long-form durable powers of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act. A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by someone at the principal's direction in their conscious physical presence), and signed by two witnesses. Notarization is not strictly required, but a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and a power of attorney used to convey real estate must be acknowledged and witnessed like a deed. A power of attorney is durable (it survives incapacity) unless it says otherwise.
What are the requirements for a health care directive in Connecticut?
Any person 18 or older can sign a document with health care instructions (living will), appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator and an anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required.
Where can I get a power of attorney form in Connecticut?
Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.