Power of attorney is a legal, written document. The signer of the document appoints an agent or attorney who has the power to act for the signer. The appointed person can act as if he or she were the actual signer rather than merely the agent of the signer (see Agent). When a power of attorney is officially recorded, it must generally be certified by a notary public.
The power of attorney is especially useful to people who are ill and unable to conduct their own affairs, or to people who must be away from home for a long time. In times of war, many members of the armed forces make out a power of attorney to someone at home. This is especially true of those who leave civilian business to the management of friends and relatives.
A general power of attorney permits the agent to act for the signer in all circumstances. A special power of attorney permits the agent to do only those things that the signer lists in the document. The death of the signer voids the power of attorney.
