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Rhode Island Durable Short Form Power of Attorney

Broad financial powers continue through subsequent incompetency when the included durability provision is executed; choose duration and any permitted limits.

Jurisdiction
Rhode Island
Purpose
Durable financial
Source / form version
Current online §18-16-2(a) statutory form; includes durability paragraph
Resource format
PDF
Signing
Principal acknowledges execution in the manner used for a real-property conveyance. Preserve both statutory signature/acknowledgment sections, including the durability paragraph.
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Sources checked: 2026-11-13. General information, not individual legal advice.

A statutory form with a warning

Rhode Island’s short form begins with a warning about broad powers. The statutory notice must remain prominent. The powers are defined in the Short Form Power of Attorney Act and include property, banking, business, insurance and claims. This financial appointment is separate from the state’s durable health care power of attorney.

Sources: [1] [2]

Use the strike-out method correctly

The form grants its listed powers unless you strike out a category and initial the opposite line. Removing any category from A through I also removes the catch-all category J. If you name more than one agent, they must act jointly unless you expressly choose separate action. The duration section lets you choose indefinite duration or a stated ending date; special provisions must conform to the statute.

Sources: [1] [2]

Retain the durability and acknowledgment sections

The official text has an initial signature and acknowledgment followed by a durability statement with another signature and acknowledgment. Keep both when creating a durable appointment. The statute supplies acknowledgment placeholders, so the authorized officer must complete the proper certificate rather than treating an empty label as notarization. Arrange execution with that officer and retain the whole document. Review unusual limits, gifts or estate-planning powers with counsel before relying on the short form.

Sources: [1] [2]

Common questions

Do I initial each power that I want to give?

This statute uses the opposite method: strike out and initial powers you do not want. Removing one of A–I also eliminates J. Read the printed instructions carefully.

Sources: [2] [1]

Related forms and guides

Sources and verification

  1. Rhode Island General Assembly: source and instructions (opens in a new tab)
  2. Signing and legal requirements (opens in a new tab)

The complete cited statutory form was checked against this printable edition. All substantive words are preserved; blanks and pagination are reformatted. No independent attorney review is claimed.

The date above records a source check. It does not certify that a form is suitable for your circumstances or that an attorney has reviewed your document. Read the publisher’s current instructions before use.