Illinois Power of Attorney Bill Becomes Law
An important update to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act has been signed into law.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4462 (HB 4462) into law on July 24, 2026. The legislation, proposed to Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz by the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (IL NAELA) Legislative Committee, addresses provisions involving when third parties may refuse to honor a valid Power of Attorney for Property.
The new law removes two reasons previously considered reasonable cause for refusing to honor a Power of Attorney for Property: an agent’s refusal to provide a copy of the original document certified as valid by an attorney, court order, or governmental entity, and the principal’s attorney’s refusal to provide a certificate stating that the Power of Attorney is valid.
HB 4462 received unanimous bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly, passing the House 109-0 and the Senate 59-0.
The legislation is intended to help properly executed Powers of Attorney function as intended while maintaining safeguards for legitimate concerns involving fraud, abuse, exploitation, invalid documents, or questions regarding an agent’s authority.
The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Dent Coulson Elder Law Managing Partner L. Kaye DeSelms Dent serves on the IL NAELA Legislative Committee, which worked on the legislation.
Have Questions About Your Illinois Power of Attorney?
A properly prepared Power of Attorney is an important part of an estate plan. If you have questions about an existing Power of Attorney or how the new Illinois law may affect your estate planning, contact Dent Coulson Elder Law.
Source: Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (IL NAELA)
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