A Massachusetts minor child power of attorney (POA) is a written authorization that lets a parent or guardian appoint a temporary agent. The appointment cannot last longer than 60 days.[1] Parents use it for various short-term reasons, such as being away or ill. This page on the FormsPal website gives you a free Massachusetts power of attorney for minor child form to fill out online or download as a PDF. The form states that you do not intend to give up your parental rights.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Massachusetts law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Under state law, a Massachusetts minor child power of attorney must be a writing signed by the parent or guardian, or by someone at their direction. At least two witnesses must attest the writing, and the temporary agent must accept the appointment in writing.[1]
The statute puts these requirements in one sentence:
Any delegation under this section shall be by a writing signed by, or at the direction of, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and attested by at least 2 witnesses 18 years of age or older, neither of whom is the temporary agent together with the written acceptance of the temporary agent.
Check that every required signature and date is complete. Keep the signed original of the POA in a safe place and give the agent a copy. Tell your family where it is kept, so others understand who is caring for the child.
| State | Massachusetts |
| Document Name | Massachusetts Minor Child Power of Attorney Form |
| Relevant Laws | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, § 5-103 |
| Duration | Up to 60 days[1] |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 15 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 55 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
The FormsPal Massachusetts minor child POA form runs four pages and has several parts. Work through the parts in order, from the parent and child on page 1 to the notary and witness blocks on pages 3 and 4. Each step below shows the part of the form you are filling in.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Massachusetts 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.
Need a different form? Browse all Massachusetts POA forms on FormsPal, other state power of attorney forms, or start from the main power of attorney form page. If the child needs medical decisions made, see the Massachusetts medical power of attorney. For your own affairs, the Massachusetts durable power of attorney is the usual choice.
Yes. A parent or guardian may appoint a temporary agent for a period not exceeding 60 days.[1] The form has an effective date part with a start date and an end date, so the end date you enter must fall within that period.
The agent can use any power you have over the care, custody or property of the child. The one exception is the power to consent to the marriage or adoption of a minor.[1]
Sometimes. You may not appoint a temporary agent if the child has another living parent whose whereabouts are known and who is willing and able to provide care and custody. The exception is when that parent consents to the appointment in writing.[1]
Yes. The state statute says the appointing parent or guardian may revoke or amend the delegation, and the change is delivered to all interested persons.[1]
No. A caregiver authorization affidavit is a different document under a different law, and the form on this page is not one. With the affidavit, you can let an adult your child lives with share your rights over the child's education and health care, such as enrolling the child in school and consenting to medical treatment.[2] A power of attorney under section 5-103 lasts no more than 60 days.[1] The affidavit may be valid for up to 2 years and may be reauthorized. Its signing rule is also different. You sign the affidavit under the pains and penalties of perjury in the presence of 2 adult witnesses, neither of whom may be the caregiver, and the affidavit must be notarized. The caregiver also signs it and attests to being an adult with whom the child resides.[3] The Massachusetts court system publishes a caregiver authorization affidavit form on mass.gov.[4]
A Massachusetts minor child power of attorney lets a parent or guardian hand a temporary agent the powers they hold over the care, custody or property of the child. The appointment is temporary and cannot last longer than 60 days.[1] The form gives the parent or guardian a place to name the agent, to name a successor agent, and to limit the powers granted.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
