Michigan Financial POA After July 2024: Signing and Durability Rules

Michigan changed how many financial power of attorney documents must be signed and when they stay in effect for documents created on or after July 1, 2024, under Chapter 556, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. The shifts cover three things: how the principal signs, whether the document needs a notary acknowledgment or two witnesses, and the new presumption that a qualifying POA is durable unless it says otherwise. The act also keeps a list of agent powers that need an express grant.

For the full Michigan POA basics, see our Michigan power of attorney guide; this post focuses on the 2024 signing changes.

What a Michigan Financial POA Covers

A Michigan financial power of attorney lets a principal name an agent to handle financial and property tasks during the principal's life. It can cover banking, real estate, taxes, insurance, retirement accounts, claims, benefits, and similar matters if the document grants that authority.

It does not replace a medical decision document. For care and treatment decisions, use the Michigan healthcare directive guide.

If the person no longer has capacity and no agent can act, review Michigan guardianship planning and Michigan conservatorship vs probate before assuming a POA can still be signed.

For the broader document set, use Michigan estate planning basics. If the agent may need to manage online accounts, review Michigan digital assets. If animal care or trust changes are part of the plan, compare Michigan pet trusts and Michigan trust modification.

Signing After July 1, 2024

MCL 556.205 says the principal signs a power of attorney, or another individual signs in the principal's conscious presence and at the principal's direction.

For durability under the reviewed source data, the document also needs acknowledgment before a notary or other authorized officer, or signature in the presence of two qualifying witnesses who also sign the power.

A nominated agent cannot serve as a witness. One witness may also act as notary or acknowledger.

Durability

MCL 556.204 says a Michigan power of attorney created on or after July 1, 2024 and executed under the listed rules is durable unless it expressly says it terminates on the principal's incapacity.

That does not mean every older POA or every document handed to a bank will be accepted. The date, signatures, document wording, notary or witness path, and receiving office rules all matter.

Express Powers

MCL 556.301 lists powers that need an express or specific grant of authority. These powers include gifts, trusts, survivorship rights, beneficiary designations, delegation of authority, and survivor benefit waivers.

If the agent may need one of those powers, the document should say so. Broad wording may not be enough.

Real Estate Checks

If the agent may sign real estate documents, check the county register of deeds and title company before relying on the POA. They may ask for format, acknowledgment, recording, or copy details.

After death, a power of attorney is usually not the transfer tool. Use Transfer Property After Death in Michigan to check probate, survivorship, trust, and recording paths.

If assets move through a trust after death, the successor trustee should use Michigan trust administration instead of relying on lifetime POA authority.

What to Keep With the POA

Keep these records together:

• signed financial power of attorney
• healthcare directive or patient advocate designation
• will or trust documents
• account and beneficiary records
• deed and title records
• contact details for agents and alternates

For court administration after death, use the Michigan probate guide.

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Sources:

• Title: Michigan Legislature, Chapter 556, Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/Index?ObjectName=mcl-chap556
• Title: MCL 556.204, Limited presumption of durability. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-556-204
• Title: MCL 556.205, Execution of power of attorney. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-556-205
• Title: MCL 556.301, Express or specific grant of authority. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-556-301

This article provides general Michigan power of attorney information. Ask a Michigan attorney about document wording, acceptance, and recording for a specific plan.