A power of attorney letter is also called a power of attorney agreement or simply a power of attorney. These documents can be used for a variety of purposes but typically are used by one person to grant certain legal powers of representation to another. For example, an aging parent might sign a power of attorney giving his daughter the authority to pay his bills or make health care decisions on his behalf. A power of attorney document can take various forms, depending on the situation at hand.
Power of Attorney Defined
A power of attorney letter is a document that gives another party the legal right to take action on your behalf under certain circumstances. Some power of attorney letters only convey the power to act if the grantor is incapacitated; others grant unlimited legal power to make decisions on the grantor's behalf in financial affairs, health care, buying and selling property, signing contracts and handling matters related to government benefits.
Health Care Power of Attorney
One example of a power of attorney letter is a health care power of attorney. This type of document gives your appointee the power to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unconscious, mentally incompetent or otherwise unable to make your own medical decisions. One decision that might be granted under a health care power of attorney is the right to direct doctors to withdraw life support if the grantor lapses into an irreversible coma.
Special Power of Attorney
Another common power of attorney agreement is the special power of attorney. This document generally gives the grantee the right to conduct some particular business on behalf of the grantor. This type of letter might be used if the grantor expects to be out of the country and needs some transaction conducted on his behalf. A special power of attorney would specify what activities are to be performed, and it might also contain a clause stating when the power expires.
Read More: How to Write a Special Power of Attorney Letter
Revocation
Caution should always be exercised when using a power of attorney agreement or any legal document downloaded from the Web. Certain restrictions may apply in your state that would invalidate your power of attorney letter as a matter of law. Furthermore, granting someone power of attorney is a serious matter that requires careful consideration. It is always wise to discuss your options with a lawyer and have your legal documents professionally prepared or reviewed.
References
Resources
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Advance Directives - Living Will, Power of Attorney
- The 'Lectric Law Library: Business & General Legal Forms
- The 'Lectric Law Library: Notice of Revocation of Power of Attorney Form
- California Franchise Tax Board: Power of Attorney
- Microsoft Corporation: Power of Attorney Letter for Child Care
Writer Bio
Louis Kroeck started writing professionally under the direction of Andrew Samtoy from the "Cleveland Sandwich Board" in 2006. Kroeck is an attorney out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania specializing in civil litigation, intellectual property law and entertainment law. He has a B.S from the Pennsylvania State University in information science technology and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.