LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that free, fillable Power of Attorney forms are now available for download on the Elder Abuse Task Force’s webpage. These user-friendly forms were prepared by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at Cooley Law School. The forms make it easier for Michigan residents and their family members to appoint a trusted individual to make important financial and medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.  

“These forms will help people exercise their rights and protect themselves and their family members from potential abuse or exploitation,” Nessel said. “We are grateful to the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting for making them accessible to the public.” 

In 2024, the Elder Abuse Task Force successfully advocated for legislation that updated Michigan’s Power of Attorney statute under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Attorney General Nessel recently released a public service announcement explaining the new law. While the law includes a statutory form, it is not downloadable or fillable. The forms provided by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting are fully compliant with the new statute.  

The newly available forms include: 

• Finances Power of Attorney (PDF): This form lets users decide who makes financial decisions for them if they can’t make them for themselves. 
• Medical Power of Attorney (PDF): This form lets users decide who makes health-care decisions for them if they can’t make them for themselves. 

Michigan’s Power of Attorney statute is one of the major accomplishments of the Elder Abuse Task Force. Michigan's Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors – all working together to combat elder abuse. The more than 100 individuals on the Task Force are divided into seven committees working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including requiring certification and training for professional guardians.

Another achievement includes the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigations by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. The Task Force has trained hundreds of police officers, prosecutors and Adult Protective Services workers. The training videos have been viewed thousands of times. In addition to the vulnerable adult incident report and associated trainings, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was passed that ensures mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation. Financial advisors and securities brokers were also added as mandatory reporters in a separate law.  

More than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.  

The forms are now available on the Elder Abuse Task Force webpage.