A Florida minor child power of attorney is a document that lets a parent or guardian name another adult to act on behalf of their child. The agent can handle decisions about school, medical care and other everyday needs.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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The FormsPal template on this page names an agent to act on behalf of your child, for example while you travel or work away from home. You can fill it in online or download the PDF and complete it by hand. Here is what the template covers from start to finish:
Florida doesn’t provide the official child power of attorney templates; instead, it offers the “Petition for Concurrent Custody by Extended Family,” which must be approved by a circuit court. Furthermore, the person filing for concurrent custody must qualify as an “extended family member” according to Florida Statutes § 751.011(2). At the same time, “concurrent custody” indicates that the parent granting this authority maintains all their parental rights and ultimate control over the child’s affairs.
The court reviews the petition and assesses whether granting concurrent custody would benefit the child’s welfare. Factors considered include the child’s health, safety, and the stability that the extended family member can provide.
Establishing temporary custody is usually more complex legally and often requires court involvement. In contrast, a power of attorney can be established more simply and with fewer formalities, although notarization is required. If you need other state-specific documents, check out all Florida POA forms on our site.
| Document Name | Florida Minor Child Power of Attorney Form |
| Other Name | Florida Parental Power of Attorney |
| Relevant Laws | Florida Statutes, Section 744.3021 |
| Duration | Not Specified |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 15 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 44 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
Keep the phone number and address of your attorney-in-fact with your copy of the form. Add the school and doctor contact details for your children too, so they are easy to find.
The steps below follow the FormsPal template this page hands out, which you can fill in online or download as a PDF. Work through its seven parts in order, from the parent or guardian and the child to the notary page. Have the full names and addresses of everyone named on the form ready before you start.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Florida Florida Minor Child Power of Attorney template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Parent or Guardian and the Minor Child
Enter your name and current address, then initial the line that matches your role. The form lists parent, guardian and conservator. Add the child's name, date of birth and address.
Second Parent or Guardian and the Agent
Complete the additional statement only if there is more than one parent, guardian or conservator. It repeats the same lines for the second person. Then enter the name and address of the agent, who is also called the attorney-in-fact.
Powers and Successor Attorney-in-Fact
Choose option 1 for all the authority printed on the form, or option 2 and write the limited authority on the lines provided. Then enter the name and address of the alternate, who is the backup if the first one cannot serve.
Effective Date
Enter the date the power of attorney starts and the date it continues until.
Signature and Printed Name
Read the statement about parental rights above the signature lines. Then enter the day, month and year, sign on the signature line and print your name below it. A second parent or guardian uses the second line.
Acknowledgment: County, Date and Officer
Page 3 is the acknowledgment for the notary or other officer. Fill in the county, the date, the name and title of the officer and the name of the person who appeared.
Notary Signature and Seal
The last line on page 3 belongs to the notary or other officer, who signs it and adds the seal. Leave it empty so the officer can complete it.
After the blanks are filled in, a few simple habits keep the form easy to use. Read it once more, sign where the form shows and keep copies in a place you can reach.
Check the details
Compare every name, address and date on the form with the IDs of the people named. Matching spelling on every line makes the form easier to read.
Sign where the form shows
Sign and print your name on the signature line. Leave the acknowledgment on page 3 for the notary or other officer to complete.
Keep a copy
Save a digital copy and keep a paper copy where you can find it quickly.
Share a copy with the attorney-in-fact
Give them a copy so they have the form on hand and know what it says.
Use the same spelling of each name on every line of the form. It keeps the form consistent from the first page to the last.
To properly complete the “Petition for Temporary Custody by Extended Family” form in Florida, you must follow a clear and structured approach. This form requests that an extended family member be granted temporary custody of a child when the parents cannot care for the child temporarily or long-term. Below are detailed instructions to guide you through each section of the form.
Identifying the Court and Parties
Begin by entering the name of the judicial circuit and county where the petition is being filed. You must provide the case number and division, usually assigned by the court clerk upon filing the petition. Also, list the full legal names of the child or children involved, the petitioner (yourself or another family member), and the respondent(s), typically the child’s parents or guardians.
Details of the Petition
In this step, input your full legal name as the petitioner and describe your relationship to the child, ensuring it qualifies under the extended family criteria specified in Florida Statutes § 751.011(2).
Custody Information
Provide the name, date of birth, and address of each child you seek custody. Also, include your full residence and post office address and contact information, such as a telephone number and email, if applicable.
Legal Grounds for Custody
Indicate whether you have the notarized consent of the legal parents or if the child currently lives with you in a substitute parent role. If applicable, include details of any circumstances such as abuse, abandonment, or neglect by the parents.
Supporting Documents
Attach any necessary documents, such as consents from parents or proof of their incapacity or unavailability, like death certificates or proof of inability to care for the child.
Orders and Additional Requests
State any existing child support orders and specify if you are requesting the court to modify these orders to redirect support to you. Mention whether you are requesting the establishment of a visitation or time-sharing schedule with the parents.
Signatures and Verification
Sign the petition in the presence of a notary or deputy clerk to validate your identity and the authenticity of your signature. The document must be notarized.
Filing the Petition
Finally, file the completed and notarized petition with the appropriate circuit court. Check if there is a filing fee, which you should pay as the court requires.
A Florida minor child power of attorney names an adult, called the agent or attorney-in-fact, to act on behalf of a child. Most questions come down to what to prepare, which authority option to pick and how to fill in the form.
Have these details ready:
Keep them nearby while you fill in the form so each line is quick to complete.
Option 1 on the form covers the broad authority printed there, which names medical treatment, decisions about schooling and care for the child. Option 2 lets you list only the tasks you want handled, on the lines provided.
The successor attorney-in-fact is a backup named on the form. The form uses this person if the first one is unable or unwilling to serve.
Yes. Create the document online, save your progress and finish on any device. You can also download the PDF, fill it in with the PDF editor and print it.
Parents and other family members often use a power of attorney like this when a trusted adult will look after their children while they are away, for instance on a long trip or a work assignment. The person named then handles everyday decisions about school and medical care.
The template has lines for one child. A simple approach is to fill in a separate copy for each of your children, so every form lists one child's name, date of birth and address.
The form has a second statement and a second signature line for another parent, guardian or conservator. Complete them when they apply to your family.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
