For Extra Peace of Mind When on Vacation

If you are going on vacation and leaving the kids (who are minors) with a family member or in-law, don't forget to leave the caregiver a power of attorney!

Missouri law allows the parents of a minor to delegate to another individual, for a period not exceeding one year, any of his or her powers regarding care or custody of the minor child (except his or her power to consent to marriage or adoption of the minor child).


The following is a sample of the form we commonly use in this regard:


KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, HUSBAND* and WIFE*, of  COUNTY* County, Missouri, the natural parents of  CHILD1*, born DATE1*, and CHILD2*, born DATE2*, minors, hereafter referred to individually as a “Child” and collectively as “Children”, have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint, _______________________________ and _______________________________, of ______________________________, our true and lawful attorney-in-fact, for us and in our name, place and stead, pursuant to Section 475.024, RSMo., to do and perform any and all of the following actions with regard to the Children:


1.  To authorize or consent to (or to withhold such consent or prohibit) any type of health care, medical care, dental care, or surgical treatment or procedure, whether or not in case of emergency; and

2. To make any other decision or take any other action concerning the care and custody of the Children which he or she may deem to be in the best interests of said Children, except as prohibited by law.

The delegation of powers to said attorney-in-fact, as set forth herein, shall not exceed _______________ (___) [one year max.] days from the date hereof.

We hereby give and grant to said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever necessary to be done in the premises, in order to fully carry out and effectuate the authority herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as we might or could do if personally present and personally acting, and we hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact may do pursuant to this power.

This instrument may be executed in a number of counterparts, and all of such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this _______ day of ________________.

[Signatures]

[Notary]