What is a Power of Attorney?A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter. The person authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power). The one authorized to act is the agent or attorney[1] or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney-in-fact. Formerly, a power referred to an instrument under seal while a letter was an instrument under hand, but today both are signed by the donor, and therefore there is no difference between the two.

Types of Power of Attorneys according to Law

A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter. The person authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power). The one authorized to act is the agent or attorney[1] or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney-in-fact. Formerly, a power referred to an instrument under seal while a letter was an instrument under hand, but today both are signed by the donor, and therefore there is no difference between the two.

How does a Power of Attorney Become Legal Document?

In order for a power of attorney to be a legal document it must be signed and dated at a minimum by the principal.[4] This alone, however, is not usually considered sufficient if the legality of the document is ever challenged by a third party.[citation needed] Having the document reviewed and signed (and often stamped) by a notary public increases the likelihood of withstanding such a challenge.[citation needed] However, such notarization is not always necessary for such a document to be considered legal — in California and in South Carolina a power of attorney is considered legally valid by the state if it is signed by the principal, by the agent, and then either by two witnesses OR by a single notary public;[5] in Arizona and Illinois, a power of attorney requires notarization and the signature of at least one witness. Each state has a specific process and it is important to confirm the most recent version.

Seek Guidance before you Make One?

Making or signing a power of Attorney without the proper knowledge can be dangerous; therefore, it’s advisable to seek legal guidance from firms that have expertise on the subject. Legalzoom reviews are pretty impressive when it comes to power of attorneys and the firm can guide you properly in protecting you and interests at large.