What is required to establish a valid power of attorney in Ohio?

To establish a valid power of attorney in Ohio, it is necessary to have a written document that is signed by the principal and notarized. This legal requirement ensures that the principal's intentions are clear and properly documented, providing a layer of authenticity and protection against potential fraud. Notarization serves to verify the identity of the principal and to affirm that the signing was done voluntarily.

A verbal agreement or just having witnesses, without a notarized written document, does not meet the statutory requirements for creating a power of attorney in Ohio, as these methods lack the necessary formalization. Additionally, filing a document with the local court is not a prerequisite for a power of attorney to be valid, although certain powers may need to be filed for specific purposes, such as real estate transactions. Thus, the requirement for a signed and notarized written document stands out as the correct approach in Ohio.