A Maryland limited power of attorney (POA) is a written document in which you, the principal, appoint an agent (also called an attorney-in-fact) to act on specific tasks only. Maryland law requires the document to be signed, acknowledged before a notary public and attested by two adult witnesses.[1.1] Use this free Maryland limited power of attorney form to name your agent, list the tasks and print the PDF for signing.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Maryland law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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A Maryland limited power of attorney must meet four signing requirements. It must be in writing, signed by the principal or by another person at the principal's direction, acknowledged before a notary public and attested by at least two adult witnesses.[1.1] The statute sets out each requirement below.
In writing. A power of attorney executed on or after October 1, 2010 must be in writing.[1.2]
Signature. The principal signs it. Another person may sign for the principal, but only in the principal's physical presence and at the principal's express direction.
Notary. The principal acknowledges the signature in the physical or electronic presence of a notary public.
Witnesses. Two or more adult witnesses attest and sign the document.
On witnesses, the statute says:
Attested and signed by two or more adult witnesses who sign in: the physical presence of the principal and each other, or the electronic presence of the principal and each other or any combination of physical or electronic presence.
In plain words, the witnesses must sign together with you, either in the same room, online, or a mix of both.
A Maryland limited power of attorney ends when one of the events in the statute happens. These include the principal's death, the principal's revocation and the accomplishment of the document's purpose. Each event on the list below ends the document.[2.1]
The principal dies.
The principal becomes incapacitated, unless the power of attorney is durable.
The principal revokes the power of attorney.
The power of attorney provides that it terminates.
The purpose of the power of attorney is accomplished.
When the power of attorney ends, the agent's authority ends with it.[2.2]
Unlike a general power of attorney, which gives an agent broad powers, a limited power of attorney is built around its purpose. Write each task clearly on the form, because the document ends once its purpose is accomplished.
How to Fill Out the Maryland Limited Power of Attorney Form
To fill out this form, start on page 1 with the principal and the agent. Then list the tasks the agent may handle and set the dates. The PDF has four pages, and the steps below follow its order. Use the Create My Document button above to build the form online, then save and print it.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Maryland limited 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.
Principal and agent (page 1). In the opening paragraph, enter your name and address as the principal. Then enter the name and address of the person you appoint as your agent, also called the attorney-in-fact.Step 1: sample entries, not a real document.
Purposes (page 1). Write each limited purpose on its own line. The form has five lines. Be specific, such as one account, one piece of property or one transaction. The Special Instructions statement below them limits the powers to these purposes and has nothing to fill in.Step 2: sample entries, not a real document.
Effective date (page 1). Initial one of the two lines. One makes the power of attorney effective immediately. The other lets you write in a date.Step 3: sample entries, not a real document.
Termination date: written revocation (page 1). Under Termination Date, initial the first line if the power of attorney should end when you have signed a written revocation. The other termination options continue on page 2.Step 4: sample entries, not a real document.
Other termination options and successor agent (page 2). Initial the line to end the power of attorney on a date you write in, or the line to end it when you are determined to be incapacitated. Then enter your agent's name in the Successor Attorney-in-Fact paragraph, followed by the alternate agent's name and address. Page 2 also prints a paragraph about third parties who rely on a copy. In it you agree to indemnify the third party for claims that arise from that reliance, so read it before you sign.Step 5: sample entries, not a real document.
Sign and date (page 2). Fill in the day, month and year on the "Signed this" line. Sign on the signature line and print your name below it.Step 6: sample entries, not a real document.
Acknowledgment: county, date and officer (page 3). Page 3 holds the acknowledgment, which opens with State of Maryland and a County line. Enter the county, the date, the officer's name and title, and your name. The printed text says the officer verifies only the identity of the person who signed, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document.Step 7: sample entries, not a real document.
Officer's signature and seal (page 3). Page 3 ends with a Signature line and a (seal) mark. Both are for the notary public or other officer who completes the certificate.Step 8: sample entries, not a real document.
Witness attestation (page 4). Page 4 opens with a statement that the principal published and declared the document in the witnesses' presence. Enter your name as the principal on the blank in that statement.Step 9: sample entries, not a real document.
Witness signatures (page 4). Each of the two witnesses signs and prints a name, then adds an address and a telephone number in the blocks marked Witness #1 and Witness #2.Step 10: sample entries, not a real document.
How to Sign and Use the Maryland Limited Power of Attorney
To use a Maryland limited power of attorney, print the completed form. Signing takes a notary public and two adult witnesses present. Then share copies with the people who will rely on it and keep the original somewhere safe. The steps below cover what to do once the form is filled in.
Sign with a notary and two witnesses. Follow the signing rules in the requirements above. The form has an acknowledgment block for the notary on page 3 and a witness block on page 4.[1.1]
Share copies. Give copies of the signed form to your agent, any successor agent and the banks or offices that will ask for proof of the agent's authority.
Keep the original safe. Store it where you and your agent can find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover what happens to the agent's authority under a Maryland limited power of attorney when the principal or the agent changes course. Each answer comes from the Maryland Estates and Trusts Code.
Can I take away my agent's authority?
Yes. The agent's authority ends when the principal revokes it.[2.2] The whole power of attorney also ends when the principal revokes it.[2.1]
What happens if my agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns?
The agent's authority ends if the agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns.[2.2] The power of attorney itself ends too when both of these are true:
The principal revokes the agent's authority, or the agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns.
The document does not provide for another agent to act.[2.1]
Does divorce or legal separation end my agent's authority?
It can, if your agent is your spouse. The agent's authority ends when an action is filed for the dissolution or annulment of the agent's marriage to the principal, or for their legal separation. The power of attorney can provide otherwise.[2.2]
Does the agent's authority run out as time passes?
Not by itself. Unless the power of attorney provides otherwise, the agent's authority is exercisable until it terminates, even if time has passed since the document was signed.[2.3]
General information, not legal or tax advice.
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Sources
Unless noted otherwise, the sources below are from the Md. Code, Est. & Trusts.
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.
