What is required for a Power of Attorney to be effective?

For a Power of Attorney (POA) to be effective, it is required that it be written and signed by the grantor. This formal written instrument provides clear evidence of the grantor's intentions in appointing an agent to act on their behalf. The need for a written document ensures that the specific powers granted are clearly defined and that the grantor's consent can be verified.

While notarization, court filing, or recording may provide additional legal backing or require for certain types of POA (like those concerning real estate transactions), they are not universally required for the document to be considered effective. The essential element remains that the document is properly executed in writing and bears the grantor's signature, thereby establishing a legitimate POA that can be acted upon.