# What Are Government Forms?

> What use are government forms?

Source: https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms · Updated 2 February 2023

This page explains

### What Does The Term "Government Form" Refer To?

**Page overview**

- **This page examines the role and usefulness of government forms.**

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN7M-xwrwuA

**Page index**

- [In **California, Texas, New York & Illinois** a **government form** is **available** (unlike Florida and Pennsylvania)](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il)
- [**Design, content & style** of government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#design-content-style-of-government-forms)
- [**Options** available **where** a *Power of Attorney* is **not a government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#options-available-using-a-power-of-attorney-that-is-not-a-government-form)
- [There are **no government forms for commercial entities**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#there-are-no-government-forms-for-commercial-entities)
- [**REFERENCES**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#some-handy-references)
- [California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#california) - [Texas](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#texas) - [New York](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#new-york)
- [Illinois](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#illinois) - [Florida & Pennsylvania](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#florida-pennsylvania)

## Government Forms in CA, TX, NY & IL

In **Florida** and **Pennsylvania**, there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il).

In **Texas:-**

- a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may only be used to appoint only be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney*
- a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) (*i.e. scheme requiring a [third party](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-third-party) to deal with an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal)*) is:-

  - accessible in respect of a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney*, whether or not a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^1]
  - not accessible in respect of a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, for which there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in any event

In **California** there is a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) available where a *Power of Attorney* is [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person).[^2]

In **Illinois**:-

- there is no [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) available where a *Power of Attorney* is [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^2]
- a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may only be used to appoint one agent (*albeit it with multiple [successor agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#a-successor-agent-replaces-an-original-agent-who-is-ineligible)*): [§2-10.5](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-10-5.html)

In **New York**:-

- a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) is only acessible where a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is used
- a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^3] might prepare a [custom-made](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/idealcontent#features-of-powersofattorneycom) *Power of Attorney* and a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) to work together (*see the heading in this Wiki [Using a Government Form In Conjunction With A Custom *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-a-government-form-in-conjunction-with-a-custom-power-of-attorney)*)

> ## Legislative Links
> 
> **California** [§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html) | Statutory Form *Power of Attorney* **Texas** [§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-051.html) | Statutory Durable *Power of Attorney* **New York** [§5-1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513) | Statutory Short Form *Power of Attorney* **Illinois** [§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html) | Statutory Short Form *Power of Attorney*

### Special Considerations

The right of a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^4] to use other designs of *Powers of Attorney* is expressly preserved in **California**, **Texas** and **Illinois** (see **CA**, [§4408](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4408.html) **TX** [§752.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-003.html) & **IL** [§3-1](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-1.html)).

In **New York**, [§5-1503](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1503) recognizes the right of a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^5] to include in a *Power of Attorney* "*additional language*" that "*makes some additional provision*" which is "*not inconsistent with the.. [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il)*."

[§5-1503](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1503) provides:

*"A Power of Attorney .. is not prevented from being a "Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney", by the fact that it also contains additional language at the section labeled "modifications" which:*

- *eliminates from the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney one or more of the powers enumerated in one or more of the constructional sections of this title with respect to a subdivision of the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney, affirmatively chosen by the principal; or*
- *supplements one or more of the powers enumerated in one or more of the constructional sections in this title with respect to a subdivision of the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney, affirmatively chosen by the principal, by specifically listing additional powers of the agent; or*
- *makes some additional provision which is not inconsistent with the other provisions of the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney, including a provision revoking one or more powers of attorney previously executed by the principal."* ([§5-1503](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1503))

## Design, Content & Style of Government Forms

Design, content and style of the [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^6] in **California**, **New York**, **Illinois** and **Texas** are relatively similar.

[Government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) for [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^7] are:-

- generic, simplistic, 'box-ticker' designs of *Power of Attorney*; and
- designed for use where the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) wants to:-

  - tick boxes to identify pre-defined [statutory tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) for performance by their [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) and
  - tick a box to assign the chosen [statutory tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) to be performed by agreement or independently by all [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal)[^120]

In **Texas** the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) does not include space titled “Special Instructions” as seen in **California** or “Modifications” as seen in **New York**.

Similarly, in **Illinois,** the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) does not include space titled “Special Instructions” as seen in **California** or “Modifications” as seen in **New York**, although in **Illinois** there is space to record “*Specific Limitations*” and “*Additional Powers*”.

Without access to options such as [imposing conditions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#conditions-can-be-imposed-in-respect-of-an-agents-appointment) or [assigning different tasks to different agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agenttaskalloc#tasks-may-be-allocated-differently-to-different-agents) authorizing the appointment of [sub-agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/subagents#original-or-successor-agent-may-appoint-sub-agent) and similar, it is not possible to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [better](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/idealcontent#features-of-powersofattorneycom) *Power of Attorney*.

## Options Available Using a *Power of Attorney* That Is Not A Government Form

Options for which there is no direct provision in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) include:-

- imposing [conditions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#conditions-can-be-imposed-in-respect-of-an-agents-appointment)
- [assigning different tasks to different agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agenttaskalloc#tasks-may-be-allocated-differently-to-different-agents)
- authorizing the appointment of [sub-agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/subagents#original-or-successor-agent-may-appoint-sub-agent) in conjunction with [relief arrangements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agenttaskalloc#arguments-against-the-wide-and-various-allocation-of-tasks-are-misplaced)
- including a preferred definition of [incapacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#the-six-6-greater-states-have-defined-incapacity-in-legislation), perhaps tied to [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) to perform the [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) authorized to be performed under the *Power of Attorney*
- defining methods for [acceptance of appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) that best ensure that for example, in **Texas** (*in respect a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) Power of Attorney*) and **Florida**, where [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons), authorizes an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to accept appointment by conduct, this is prohibited under the terms of the *Power of Attorney*, to ensure that there is always a clear, crisp record of precisely who is appointed as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) and when they were appointed
- appointing a [protector](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/protector#what-is-a-protector) in **Texas**, **Illinois** and **Pennsylvania**

## Why Is The Term "Shortform" Used?

The term 'shortform' is part of the titles of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in **New York** and **Illinois** (see **NY** [§5-1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513); **IL** [§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html)).

It is a description that fairly might also attach to the [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in **California** and **Texas** given they are essentially of the same design.

They are called 'shortform' because they lack all of the substance of a fully worded *Power of Attorney*, that presumably might deal with the minutiae of many different issues, such as:-

- what happens if an [ineligible](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-ineligible) candidate for appointment as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) becomes [eligible](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-eligible), after they have been replaced by a successor agent?
- how are [conditions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#conditions-can-be-imposed-in-respect-of-an-agents-appointment) to work, if breach of a [condition](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#conditions-can-be-imposed-in-respect-of-an-agents-appointment) of appointment does not feature in the [statutory grounds for termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-may-terminate-for-reasons-specified-in-legislation)?
- if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) wants to [assign different [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) to different agents](/en/agenttaskalloc#tasks-may-be-allocated-differently-to-different-agents) how is that meant to work?

A [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) arguably represent the poorest grade of quality for a *Power of Attorney*, being nothing more than a 'shortform' design, i.e. 'short on detail', or 'short on options'.

The table below shows the 'variable fields' in each of the [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) for each of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), illustrating the point that there could be no experience less personal.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| **California** | Principal's name & address - name(s) of agent(s) & addresses - task selection - special instructions - how multiple agents act (by agreement, independently) - option to choose if durable. |
| **Texas** | **Same as California, also with**: provision to name successor agent(s) - boxes to tick for authority for agent to receive remuneration or expenses - box to tick to include gifting powers - two options as to durability. |
| **New York** | **Same as California, also with**: optional successor agent(s) default decision making regime (i.e to act by agreement) - tick a box to authorize appointment of sub-agents (tick a box and name), gifting powers - provision to name monitors. |
| **Illinois** | **Same as California (without option to designate as non-durable) also with**: provision to name successor agent(s) - designated space to record limitations and additional powers - options to prevent agents being authorized from appointing sub-agents & receiving compensation - space to identify a future effective commencement time or termination time - default option to deny agent right to be a guardian. |
| **Florida** & **Pennsylvania** | No government form. |

The table above shows is that in all of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), there are at best, a handful of very basic options, after which literally every person who uses a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) has precisely the same set of terms.

Often when Courts are approached, avoidance of the use of a 'shortform' [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or similarly bereft of detail *Power of Attorney* in favour of a *Power of Attorney* that dealt with the circumstances besetting the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), or perhaps an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal), in clear terms that no one could sensibly dispute, would have meant litigation was avoided.

We might all wonder about we all have such similar needs as to require effectively the same document and how many of us if we had the choice, would prefer to adopt a fuller set of terms, beyond the generic choices in pro forma [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il).

## There Are No Government Forms For Commercial Entities

There is no 'general form' of any kind for use by a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) to create a *Power of Attorney*.

Certain [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may include a *Power of Attorney*, or constitute a *Power of Attorney* for a particular purpose, for example tax purposes.[^8]

## Improving Government Forms

It would not be unreasonable to suggest that the dawning of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Powers of Attorney* came with the introduction of a document that in a real sense, amounted to:-

- little more than a *Power of Attorney* that was never intended to operate if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lost [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) (*i.e. the old version of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il)*)
- to which words were added like "*this *Power of Attorney* will continue to operate if I lose capacity*.."

We should seriously question how we concluded that a document with such a simple purpose could be re-cast for considerably more [challenging purposes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-are-sophisticated-legal-instruments) by adding merely a handful of words.

How can a *Power of Attorney* which preceds upon the important assumptions that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) has [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) and chooses not to supervise their [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#what-is-an-agent) at their own risk (*i.e. a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) Power of Attorney*) be literally, 'word for word' perfect for to face a far more diverse set of [challenges](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-are-sophisticated-legal-instruments)?

The truth is, it would be better if considerably more work had gone into designing the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il), including whole sections devoted to topics like:-

- audit arrangements and supervision
- access to records and the *Power of Attorney*
- obligations upon [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#what-is-an-agent) to answer questions
- notice provisions

### Background for Change

Apparently the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is available in recognition of the need for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) to be able to put in place adequate arrangements if they are one day, without any [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) to manage their affairs.

The [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in every state, virtually in every western country, is almost identical in terms of its overall design in 95% of western countries.

### Shortcomings

It is not merely the absence of optional audit and [risk management](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/insightrisks#there-are-risk-management-practices-unrelated-to-the-terms-of-the-power-of-attorney) process in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) that is unsatisfactory.

A [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il), commonly titled a 'shortform' *Power of Attorney* typically:-

- denies the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) access to many [options](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/idealcontent#features-of-a-better-power-of-attorney), such as authorizing appointment of [sub-agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/subagents#original-or-successor-agent-may-appoint-sub-agent)
- presents no means for the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to [allocate different tasks to different agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agenttaskalloc#tasks-may-be-allocated-differently-to-different-agents)
- makes no allowance for example, for inclusions of [conditions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/conditions#conditions-can-be-imposed-in-respect-of-an-agents-appointment) of appointment

The shortcomings associated with [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) range across both a failure to meet the [challenges](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-are-sophisticated-legal-instruments) and failure to enable a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to design a unique, personal scheme that meet really their needs, as opposed to a generic, one-size fits all solution for arguably one of the most difficult problems in society, managing our needs if we lose [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) to manage their affairs.

### Accepting & Defining the Solution

It is hard to dispute that the discouraging effect, in terms of discouraging an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#what-is-an-agent) from perhaps acting unscrupulously, of including provisions in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) dealing with topics like the following, being provisions applicable if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs):-

- sporadic, irregular auditing (*for anyone preferring to avoid expense associated with review of their affairs*)
- auditing every '*6 months, ever year, every two (2) years, every five (5) years etc.*' (*for those who prefer this arrangement*)
- [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#what-is-an-agent) providing a copy of the *Power of Attorney* to any family member who requested a copy of the *Power of Attorney*
- [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#what-is-an-agent) giving notice before performing large transactions

These are just a handful of examples.

More inspiration is found under the heading [There Are Risk Management Practices Involving The Terms Of The *Power Of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/insightrisks#there-are-risk-management-practices-involving-the-terms-of-the-power-of-attorney).

### What Matters

We can ignore rhetoric about [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* not needing to be complicated, it is totally beside the point.

What matters is why sophisticated planning options and clear terms protecting the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) if they lose [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) (*i.e. record keeping, auditing, notice provisions etc*) are not yet fundamentally part of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il), conveniently able to be deleted where they are not needed.

They are a sad, obvious omission which may have saved many people from losing everything.

## SOME HANDY REFERENCES

### States With a Government Form

###### California

Government form - *Statutory Shortform Power of Attorney* ([§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html)) (able to be used for [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) or [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) purposes)

[§4408](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4408.html) expressly preserves the right of a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to use other designs of *Powers of Attorney.*

Including a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is required for anyone wanting to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* with access to the [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) ([§4406](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4406.html)).

###### Texas

Government forms - *Durable Power of Attorney* ([§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-051.html))

[§752.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-003.html) expressly preserve the right of a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to use other designs of *Powers of Attorney.*

###### New York

Government form - *Statutory Shortform Power of Attorney* ([§5-1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513)) (able to be used for [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) or [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) purposes)

Including a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is required for anyone wanting to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* with access to the [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) ([§5-1504](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1504)).

[§5-1503](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1503) speaks of additional powers and additional provisions that are not inconsistent with the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) being included as modifications.

###### Illinois

Government form - *Power of Attorney* ([§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html))

[§3-1](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-1.html) expressly preserves the right of a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to use other designs of *Powers of Attorney.*

### States Without a Government Form

###### Florida & Pennsylvania

In **Florida** and **Pennsylvania**, access to the [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) accrue without use of a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il).

Neither **Florida** or **Pennsylvania** offer a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il).

**Next page overview**

- **The [next page](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#ideas-for-powers-of-attorney) puts forward some ideas about how *Powers of Attorney* might be used.**

**Next page index**

- [Appointing **family members as ‘managers'**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#appointing-family-members-as-managers)
- [**‘Changing the guard’** upon a date](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#changing-the-guard-upon-a-date)
- [Using a **government form** in conjunction **with** a **custom** *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-a-government-form-in-conjunction-with-a-custom-power-of-attorney)
- [**Using** a **durable and non-durable** *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-a-durable-and-non-durable-power-of-attorney)
- [**Using two** *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-two-powers-of-attorney)
- [**Using** a **durable *Power of Attorney*** to **remove consideration of capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-a-durable-power-of-attorney-to-remove-consideration-of-capacity)
- [Including **checks and balances**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#including-checks-and-balances)
- [Using multiple *Powers of Attorney* conditional on **availability of a key person** may solve problems](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-multiple-powers-of-attorney-conditional-on-availability-of-a-key-person)
- [**Using conditions** to control outcomes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-conditions-to-control-outcomes)
- [Using **insight** from the legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/ideas#using-insight-from-the-legislation)

## 

[^1]: Being not a *Power of Attorney* excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - [click here](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#six-6-greater-states-applicationexclusion-of-legislation) to read more.
[^2]: Ibid.
[^3]: Being a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) who seeks to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* that is not excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - [click here](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#six-6-greater-states-applicationexclusion-of-legislation) to read more.
[^4]: Ibid.
[^5]: Ibid.
[^6]: Ibid.
[^7]: Ibid.
[^8]: See [Title 26 §7521](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-26-internal-revenue-code/26-usc-sect-7521.html).