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Power of Attorney

Power of attorney

When you need someone to handle your finances on your behalf

A power of attorney is a legal document giving a person (known as the agent) broad powers to manage matters on behalf of another person (known as the principal). Under certain circumstances, Bank of America allows agents to be added to the principal's accounts (depending on the specific situation, we may limit the types and sizes of transactions an agent may perform).

Executing a power of attorney document can permit an agent to act on your behalf in financial matters such as filing taxes, selling property, refinancing a mortgage and depositing or cashing checks. You can discuss your power of attorney options with us during an appointment at your local financial center (if you're a Merrill Lynch or Private Bank client and have questions regarding power of attorney and your accounts, please contact your Advisor for assistance).

Please note: While powers of attorney can be helpful, you should only grant a power of attorney if you are confident that the agent you choose will act in your best interest. Because a power of attorney may grant very broad power over your property, including your bank accounts, we recommend that you consult a legal advisor, estate planner or other tax professional to see what's right for your situation. Laws governing powers of attorney vary by state; your legal advisor can guide you through the various issues and statutory requirements.

Bank of America Life Plan® is an easy way to set and track short- and long-term financial goals, get personalized advice when you need it most and more.

For online resources, check out our digital banking capabilities and learn how you can use our tools to better manage your finances. Erica is available 24/7 to offer personalized, proactive guidance.

Need to make changes to an account?

Most account changes require that you schedule an appointment to meet with an associate in one of our financial centers.

Looking for notary services?

Bank of America provides our customers with notary services free of charge in our financial centers nationwide.