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Create Your Legal Documents

We know this can feel scary. You are not alone, and help is available.

✓ 15-20 minutes

✓ Free notarization

✓ English/Spanish

🔒 No SSN required

Create legally valid Illinois Power of Attorney and/or Short-Term Guardianship documents.

Learn more before you start

📋 What You'll Need

Your government-issued ID (for your legal name)
Name, address, and phone number of your agent
For guardianship: children's names and birth dates

📄 About These Documents

A Power of Attorney for Property lets you choose a person you trust to make decisions about your property and finances when you can't make decisions for yourself.

A Short-Term Guardianship lets you temporarily appoint a trusted person to care for your minor children for up to 365 days.

🌎 Open to All Illinois Residents

Immigration status does not affect your ability to create these documents. Your agent does not need to be a U.S. citizen.

🔒 Safety & Privacy

We do not ask for Social Security numbers, passports, or immigration status.
Use the red "Quick Exit" button if you need to leave quickly.

Step 1 of 22

Who is this form for?

We need to know if you are creating these documents for yourself or helping someone else.

I am making these documents for myself

You will be the principal (the person granting powers).

I am helping someone else complete these documents

You are assisting someone else who will be the principal.

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Important: Legal Requirements

The person you are helping MUST direct you to make these documents
They MUST understand what they are signing and what it means
They MUST provide the information and make the decisions
You MUST follow their express wishes exactly

Warning: Creating legal documents for someone without their knowledge and consent is a crime. This could include identity theft, forgery, or elder abuse, which can result in jail time.

I understand and confirm the person I am helping has directed me to complete this form and is participating in this process.

Residency Verification

These forms are only valid for Illinois residents.

Are you currently a resident of Illinois?*

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Illinois Residency Required

You must be an Illinois resident to use this form. If you live in another state, please visit LegalServices.gov to find legal aid in your state.

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You do NOT need to be a U.S. citizen to be an Illinois resident. If Illinois is where you currently live, you are a resident.

What Document Do You Need?

Select the type of legal document you want to create.

📋

Power of Attorney for Property

Allows someone you trust to manage your financial and property matters.

👨‍👩‍👧

Short-Term Guardianship

Appoints a temporary guardian for your minor children (up to 365 days).

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Both Documents

Create both Power of Attorney and Short-Term Guardianship.

Important: Current Situation

Please answer this important question about your current situation.

Is a parent currently detained, arrested, or in custody due to immigration enforcement?*

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Immediate Assistance Available

If a parent is currently detained, you may need immediate legal assistance. Our team can help coordinate emergency guardianship arrangements.

📞 (815) 240-8181

Available Monday-Sunday, 7 AM - 11 PM

Or email: info@sisepuedeproject.org

ℹ️

You may continue with this form to prepare documents, but we strongly recommend calling us for immediate guidance.

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This form can help you plan ahead if you are worried about future detention. If someone is already detained, additional steps may be needed.

Your Authority

Only a parent or legal guardian can appoint a short-term guardian.

What is your relationship to the child?*

I am the child's parent I am the child's legal guardian Other (not parent or guardian)

⛔

Cannot Continue

Only a child's parent or legal guardian can appoint a short-term guardian. You may want to speak with a lawyer about your options.

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Use Get Legal Help to find free or low-cost legal services, or call (815) 240-8181.

Existing Guardianship Check

We need to verify there is no existing court-ordered guardian for your children.

Does any of your children have a court-appointed or plenary guardian?*

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Cannot Continue

If your child already has a court-ordered or plenary guardian, you do not have the authority to appoint a short-term guardian. The existing guardian would need to complete this form.

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If you believe the guardianship should be changed, you may want to speak with a lawyer. Use Get Legal Help to find free or low-cost legal services.

What can a short-term guardian do?

A short-term guardian can make day-to-day decisions (school, medical appointments) but cannot apply for passports, food stamps, or add children to insurance.

Need more authority? Contact us at (815) 240-8181 about plenary guardianship.

Note: This form cannot override another parent's custody rights.

Children Information

Enter information for each minor child (under 18) who needs a guardian.

How many minor children?

Parent Information

Enter the information for the parent completing this form.

Which parent is completing this form?*

Mother Father

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Home Address*

Phone Number*

Second Parent's Information

Enter the information for the other parent/guardian.

I am the only parent/guardian

Please select the reason:

The other parent is deceased The other parent's rights have been terminated by court The other parent's whereabouts are unknown Paternity/maternity was never legally established I have sole legal custody by court order

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This information helps ensure your guardianship document is legally valid. If the other parent later contests the guardianship, having this documented can be important.

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Same address as first parent

Home Address*

Phone Number*

I confirm that the other parent knows about and agrees to this guardianship appointment. The other parent will need to sign the document for it to be valid.

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Important

Both parents must sign the guardianship document. If the other parent does not agree or cannot be reached, please select "I am the only parent" above and provide the reason.

Your Information

Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

I have another name (maiden name, previous name, or name I commonly use)

ℹ️

If you have legally changed your name, or go by a different name, enter it here. This is important if you have property records or documents under a different name.

Other Name / Also Known As (AKA)

Home Address*

If you are currently unhoused, you can enter "Currently Unhoused" and provide a mailing address if available.

Phone Number*

Spouse Information

Would you also like to create a Power of Attorney for your spouse?

Create POA for spouse as well?

ℹ️

Your spouse will need to sign their own document separately.

Spouse's First Name*

Spouse's Middle Name

Spouse's Last Name*

Spouse's Address*

Same as my address

Spouse's Phone

Agent Information

Your agent is the person who will have authority to act on your behalf for financial matters.

💡 Who should I pick as my agent?

Choose someone you trust completely with your finances
Your agent must be at least 18 years old
Your agent does NOT need to be a family member
Your agent does NOT need to be a U.S. citizen
Your agent does NOT need to live in the United States
Talk to your agent about your wishes before naming them

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Important

An agent has a lot of power, and it is possible they could abuse that power. Choose someone you trust with your finances and everything you own.

Agent's First Name*

Agent's Middle Name

Agent's Last Name*

Does your agent have a United States address?

Agent's Address*

🌍

For international addresses, please enter the full address using English letters.

Address Line 1*

Address Line 2

Agent's Phone Number*

A valid phone number is required so your agent can be contacted.

Relationship to You

I confirm that my agent is at least 18 years old *

⚠️

Cannot Name Yourself

You cannot name yourself as your own agent. Please enter a different person.

Successor Agent

A successor agent will have power of attorney if your primary agent dies, becomes unable to serve, quits, or refuses to act.

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Having a successor agent is optional but recommended. If you list more than one, they will serve in the order you list them.

Would you like to name a successor agent?

Successor's First Name*

Successor's Middle Name

Successor's Last Name*

Successor's Address*

Successor's Phone Number

Powers Granted to Agent

A Power of Attorney usually gives an agent power to manage all your property and finances. If you do not check an option, your agent will NOT be able to help with it.

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Most people grant all powers. Only uncheck items if you have a specific reason.

Do you want your agent to have power to file a bankruptcy on your behalf?

Additional Powers

Examples of additional powers

The power to give your property to others as gifts
The power to exercise powers of appointment
The power to name or change beneficiaries
The right to access your social media accounts
The power to revoke or amend a trust

Limitations on Powers

For example, you can place conditions on the sale of real estate or set special rules on borrowing.

When Should Your POA Take Effect?

Choose when your agent's authority begins.

Immediately upon signing

Your agent can act right away, but you keep your authority too.

Only when I become incapacitated

A doctor must certify you cannot manage your affairs.

When an adverse immigration action occurs

Arrest, detention, or deportation by ICE, CBP, or DHS.

When Should Your POA End?

Choose when your agent's authority ends.

Until my death or until I revoke it

Most common choice. You can cancel anytime.

On a specific date

Set an expiration date.

When I state in writing I can manage again

You decide when to end it.

End Date*

Additional Options

These optional settings customize your POA. Most people accept the defaults.

Can your agent change your life insurance beneficiaries?

Should your agent be compensated?

Nominate your agent as guardian of estate if needed?

Can your agent delegate powers to others?

Guardian Information

Enter information about the person you are appointing as short-term guardian for your children.

💡 Tips for choosing a guardian

Choose someone your children know and trust
The guardian must be at least 18 years old
The guardian does NOT need to be a U.S. citizen
Talk to the person before naming them as guardian
Consider whether they can meet your children's needs

Same guardian for all children?

I confirm that the guardian I named:

Is at least 18 years old
Knows my children and is willing to care for them
Has agreed to be named as guardian
Can provide a safe and stable home for my children

When Should Guardianship Begin?

Choose when the short-term guardianship will take effect.

This appointment becomes effective:*

🛡️ Upon immigration detention or deportation (Recommended) Guardianship begins if a parent is detained, arrested, or deported due to immigration enforcement. Immediately upon signing Guardianship takes effect as soon as all parties sign the form. On a specific date I will choose the date below. When I state in writing I can't care for the child On the date I state in writing that I am no longer willing or able to make child care decisions. When certified by a physician When a doctor certifies I can no longer make child care decisions. When my military active duty begins For members of the Armed Forces. When a certain event happens I will describe the event below.

Start Date*

Describe the event that will start the guardianship:*

ℹ️

No matter which option you choose, the document won't go into effect until all required signatures are obtained.

When Should Guardianship End?

Choose when the short-term guardianship will terminate. It cannot exceed 365 days from the effective date.

This appointment shall terminate:*

365 days after the effective date (Maximum allowed) The guardianship will automatically end after one year. When the administrative separation ends When I am released from detention or return from deportation. When I state in writing I can care for the child again On the date I state in writing that I am able to resume child care. When certified by a physician When a doctor certifies I can resume child care decisions. A specific number of days after the effective date I will specify the number of days below (maximum 365). When I am discharged from the hospital On the date I am discharged from the hospital or health care facility. When a certain event happens I will describe the event below.

Number of days (max 365)*

Describe the event that will end the guardianship:*

ℹ️

A parent can always end the short-term guardianship early by stating in writing that they are able to care for their child again.

Important Questions

Please answer these questions to ensure these documents are appropriate for your situation.

Is there a pending custody, divorce, or guardianship court case?

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Important Notice

Because you have a pending legal matter, we strongly recommend scheduling a free attorney review. The court case may affect the validity of these documents.

Are you completing this interview freely and safely (not being pressured)?*

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Important Notice

If you feel unsafe, use the Quick Exit button and contact us for help. We can complete this with you by phone or in person.

Do you understand that:

A Power of Attorney gives your agent broad powers over your finances
A Short-Term Guardianship allows the guardian to make decisions for your children
These documents must be signed in front of a witness AND a notary public to be valid
You can revoke (cancel) these documents at any time, as long as you have legal capacity

💡

We recommend scheduling a free attorney consultation at the end to answer your questions.

Review Your Information

Please carefully review all information before generating your documents.

📋 About Witnesses and Notarization

When you sign these documents, you will need both a witness and a notary public present.

Witness Requirements

Your witness must be 18 or older and:

Cannot be related by blood or marriage to you or your agent
Cannot be named as agent or successor agent
Cannot be a paid caregiver
Cannot be providing you medical treatment (doctor, nurse)

Good choices: Neighbors, friends, coworkers, members of a church or community group.

Terms and Acknowledgments

I have read and agree to the above terms and acknowledge the limitations of this service.

Type Your Full Legal Name as Signature*

By typing your name, you acknowledge that all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

✅

Your Documents Are Ready!

Download and Print

Download now. You'll need a witness and notary to sign.

📋 Next Steps

Print your documents
Find a witness (18+, not related to you)
Get notarized - sign only with notary present
Give copies to your agent/guardian

More information

⚠️

Documents are NOT valid until signed with a witness AND notary present.

Some banks may require their own POA form.
You can revoke these documents at any time in writing.