A Power of Attorney for a Child (also called a minor child power of attorney or temporary guardianship authorization) is a legal document in which a parent or legal guardian delegates specific parental authority to a designated agent (often called an attorney-in-fact) to make decisions on behalf of a minor child during a defined period of absence or incapacity. This document allows the agent to authorize medical treatment, enroll the child in school, make educational decisions, and handle other matters that normally require parental consent.

The authority to delegate parental decision-making power is governed by state statutes that vary significantly in their requirements and limitations. Many states have enacted specific minor child power of attorney statutes, such as California Probate Code Sections 4000-4545 and Texas Family Code Section 34.0015, which provide standardized forms and define the scope of authority that can be delegated. Some states limit the duration to six months or one year, requiring renewal if the arrangement needs to continue beyond the statutory period.

A power of attorney for a child differs from a legal guardianship in several important ways. A guardianship is a court-ordered arrangement that transfers custody and legal authority through a judicial proceeding, while a power of attorney is a private agreement between the parent and the agent that does not require court approval. The parent retains all parental rights and can revoke the power of attorney at any time. Guardianship proceedings are appropriate for long-term or permanent arrangements, while a power of attorney for a child addresses temporary situations.

This document also differs from a parental consent form, which authorizes specific activities or medical treatments rather than delegating ongoing decision-making authority. The power of attorney creates a broader agency relationship allowing the designated adult to act in the parent's place across multiple decision areas during the authorization period.

A Power of Attorney for a Child is essential in several situations where parents will be temporarily unable to exercise their parental authority. A parent is deploying with the military and must designate a family member or trusted friend to make medical, educational, and daily care decisions for the child during the deployment period. Military deployment is one of the most common triggers for this document, and many states have specific provisions for military families.

A parent is traveling internationally for work or personal reasons and the child is staying with a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend who needs legal authority to consent to medical treatment if an emergency arises. Without a power of attorney, hospitals may delay non-emergency treatment while attempting to contact the absent parent, and schools may refuse to communicate with the caretaker about the child's educational needs.

A parent is experiencing a medical condition, undergoing surgery, or entering a treatment program that will temporarily prevent them from caring for the child, and needs to designate someone to handle day-to-day parenting decisions during the recovery period. A parent is incarcerated and needs to formalize temporary care arrangements for the child until release, ensuring the designated caretaker has legal standing to act on the child's behalf.

A child is living with a non-parent relative or family friend on a temporary basis due to family circumstances, and the caretaker needs documented authority to enroll the child in school, authorize medical treatment, and sign permission forms for extracurricular activities. A parent who shares custody with another parent is designating a stepparent or partner to exercise parental authority during their custodial time when they must be absent.

A comprehensive Power of Attorney for a Child must include several essential elements as required by applicable state law. The parent or guardian identification section must include the full legal name, address, relationship to the child, and a statement confirming that the signer has legal custody and authority to delegate parental powers. If both parents share custody, many states require both parents to sign the power of attorney or provide documentation that only one parent holds sole legal custody.

The agent (attorney-in-fact) identification should include the designated adult's full legal name, address, phone number, and relationship to the child. Include an alternate agent designation in case the primary agent is unable to serve. The child identification section must include the child's full legal name, date of birth, and any relevant identifying information such as Social Security number (which may be needed for school enrollment and health insurance purposes).

The scope of authority section should specify which parental powers are being delegated. Common grants include authority to consent to medical, dental, and mental health treatment, to make educational decisions including enrollment and disciplinary matters, to authorize participation in extracurricular activities and field trips, and to make daily care decisions regarding diet, discipline, and supervision. Some states limit which powers may be delegated, and authority to consent to major medical procedures, marriage, or adoption typically cannot be transferred through a power of attorney.

The effective dates must specify when the authority begins and when it expires, with most states imposing maximum durations of six months to one year. Include specific revocation procedures, noting that the parent may revoke the power of attorney at any time by providing written notice to the agent. The document should be signed by the parent, the agent (indicating acceptance of responsibilities), and in most states must be notarized. Some states require two witnesses in addition to notarization. Include the child's medical information including allergies, medications, health insurance details, and the pediatrician's contact information as attachments.