Military Power of Attorney: What Service Members and Families Should Know Before Deployment

Before a deployment or extended assignment, getting a power of attorney in place is one of the most important things a service member can do for their family back home. Here's what to know before you go.

Why Deployment Makes a Power of Attorney Essential

Once deployed, a service member often can't be reached quickly or at all for routine decisions, banking, housing, childcare authorizations, medical decisions for family members. A power of attorney signed before deployment lets a spouse or trusted family member act on the service member's behalf without needing to track them down overseas.

What a Military Power of Attorney Covers

• General power of attorney, broad authority to handle finances, property, and most legal matters

• Special (limited) power of attorney, authority for one specific purpose, like selling a vehicle or signing a lease

• Medical power of attorney for the service member's own healthcare decisions if they're unable to communicate

• Childcare authorization documents, letting a caregiver make decisions for children while a parent is deployed

Getting Documents Notarized Before Deployment

Many installations have a legal assistance office that can notarize documents for free, but appointments can be tight before a deployment, especially during a busy PCS or pre-deployment season. As a 24/7 mobile notary, we can meet on short notice, evenings, weekends, whatever fits around final preparations, so this doesn't get pushed to the last minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a military power of attorney expire?

Many are drafted with an expiration date tied to the deployment or a set period, check the specific document, some are open-ended while others are limited in time.

Can my spouse get a power of attorney notarized without me present if I'm already deployed?

No, the person granting the power of attorney (the service member) has to be the one signing it, it can't be created after the fact without you. This is why getting it done before deployment matters.

Is a general power of attorney better than a special one for deployment?

It depends on your situation, a general power of attorney covers more but gives broader authority, while a special power of attorney limits your agent to specific tasks. Many families use a combination, talk to JAG or an attorney about what fits your circumstances.

Last updated: July 2026. Preparing for a deployment or PCS move? Learn more about our power of attorney notarization service or call/text (210) 972-8667.