If a customer brings in a self-prepared power of attorney, some things to watch out for would be:

• Use of the most up-to-date form. In most cases, the form from the Illinois Power of Attorney Act should be used. The form for property powers can be found in 755 ILCS 45/3-3. 

• Also check that the customer is using the correct form — the statute also has a form Power of Attorney for healthcare, which would cover healthcare and end-of-life decisions (755 ILCS 45/4-10).

• The Illinois law requires that the form be signed by at least one witness. As the form notes, other jurisdictions may require more than one witness.

• The signature of the principal and of any witnesses must also be notarized.

• The notary cannot sign as a witness.