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The National Power of Attorney & Health Care Agent Handbook cover

National Edition

The National Power of Attorney & Health Care Agent Handbook

A practical guide for people named as a financial Power of Attorney agent or a Health Care Agent. It explains what the role can involve, from understanding the authority in your documents to working with banks, care teams and institutions, keeping records, and what changes after a death.

Digital PDFNational Edition · Version 1.0 · 2026

$35
Who it’s for
People named as a financial Power of Attorney agent or a Health Care Agent, people preparing to serve, and the families who support them.
Helps you
  • Read the authority in your documents and understand an agent’s duties (Chapters 1–2).
  • Organize accounts, records, bills and taxes (Chapters 4–5).
  • Work with Social Security, Medicare, the VA, banks, insurers and utilities (Chapter 7).
Digital includes
One digital PDF.
Delivery
The PDF is ready in My Resources right after payment, and the confirmation email includes an access link. Prefer paper? Print + Digital adds a printed copy, shipped within 3–5 business days with free standard shipping.
Checkout
No account or password needed before you pay. Secure payment by Stripe; any applicable sales tax is shown before you pay. Afterward, sign in any time with the email you used at checkout.

Sample pages

  • Table of Contents

  • Quick Start Guide

  • Chapter 4: Essential Documents Checklist

  • Chapter 5: Financial Management as POA

  • Appendix D: Records Retention Guidelines

Watermarked sample pages. Select a page to view it larger. The complete Handbook is delivered after purchase.

What’s inside

  • Introduction · How to Use This Handbook · The Circle of Support · Quick Start Guide: Where to begin for your situation, and the people around the role.
  • Chapter 1 · Understanding Power of Attorney: What a Power of Attorney is and the main types.
  • Chapter 2 · Legal Authority, Duties & State Differences: The authority in your documents, an agent’s duties, and why state law matters.
  • Chapter 3 · Establishing POA: Planning & Execution: Planning ahead and how documents are typically put in place.
  • Chapter 4 · Documents to Gather & Organize: What to collect and how to keep it organized.
  • Chapter 5 · Financial Management as POA: Accounts, records, bills and taxes.
  • Chapter 6 · Medical & Health Care Decisions: Health care directives, Health Care Agents and medical records.
  • Chapter 7 · Working with Government & Private Institutions: Social Security, Medicare, the VA, banks, insurers and utilities.
  • Chapter 8 · After Death Responsibilities: How authority changes at death, with checklists.
  • Chapter 9 · National Resources Directory: National agencies and organizations.
  • Chapter 10 · Appendices: Glossary, a federal rules & state-law research guide, document management, records retention, a forms notice and a Handbook-to-Workbook companion index.

National scope

The National Handbook explains concepts that apply broadly across the United States. It does not state the law of any particular state, and it does not replace your legal documents or advice from a qualified professional. Use your state’s page to find official sources and state-specific information.

State-specific information

Requirements depend on your documents and applicable law. Find your state’s official sources and resources →