You have the authority. Now a form is in front of you and you are not sure how to actually sign it. Sign it wrong and two things can go wrong: the bank or title company rejects it, or — worse — it looks like *you* signed personally, which can put your own money on the hook. Here is how to do it right.
The format that works
When you sign for someone as their agent, you make three things clear: whose name it is, that you are signing as agent, and your name. The most widely accepted format is:
Jane Doe, by John Doe, her attorney-in-fact
Or, equally clear:
John Doe, as agent for Jane Doe
The principal’s name comes first because the act is *theirs* — you are only the hand holding the pen. “Attorney-in-fact” and “agent” mean the same thing; use whichever the institution prefers.
What not to do
- Don’t just sign your own name. That can bind you personally instead of the principal.
- Don’t sign only the principal’s name with no mention of you. That can look like forgery.
- Don’t improvise abbreviations a clerk won’t recognize — spell out “attorney-in-fact.”
Bring the document, and expect questions
Banks, brokerages, and title companies often want to see the original Power of Attorney (or a certified copy) and may take time to review it. Bring it, be patient, and ask each institution their process up front. If a bank still balks, our guide on what to do when a bank won’t accept a Power of Attorney walks through the fix.
Signing correctly is a small habit that protects you every single time. For a plain-English walkthrough of the role, the National Handbook lays it out, your state’s page points to your state’s official forms, and the POA Caregiver Program covers the whole role, from your first signature to the final handoff.
This article is plain-English education, not legal advice. Power of Attorney law varies by state, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. For guidance on your specific situation, talk with a licensed attorney in your state.