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Bill

HB 929

Uniform Power of Attorney Act; acknowledged power of attorney, definition.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marcus Simon

Virginia adopts Uniform Power of Attorney Act standards to standardize how powers of attorney are defined and acknowledged across the state.

Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 929

Legislative bill overview

HB 929 introduces Virginia's adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA), a model law that standardizes how powers of attorney are created, recognized, and enforced across states. The bill specifically addresses the definition and acknowledgment requirements for powers of attorney documents to ensure they meet uniform standards for validity and acceptance by third parties.

Why is this important

Powers of attorney are critical legal documents that allow individuals to designate someone to make financial, medical, or legal decisions on their behalf. Inconsistent state laws create confusion for families, financial institutions, and healthcare providers when someone needs to act on another's behalf. Uniform standards reduce paperwork burdens, prevent fraud, and ensure documents created in one state are recognized in another—particularly important for elderly individuals, those with disabilities, and interstate business operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of authority: Disagreement over which powers (financial, medical, end-of-life decisions) should be included or excluded from uniform definitions
  • Acknowledgment standards: Debate about how strictly documents must be notarized or witnessed, balancing accessibility against fraud prevention
  • Existing Virginia law: Concerns about whether UPOAA modifications align with or conflict with Virginia's current power of attorney statutes and judicial precedent

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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