What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone the authority to act on behalf of another person. The person giving the power of attorney is known as the grantor, while the person receiving the authority is known as the agent or attorney-in-fact. In Washington, a power of attorney can be written in two ways: as a limited POA or a general POA. A limited POA gives an agent the authority to make certain specified decisions on behalf of the grantor. A general POA, on the other hand, is broader, and gives the agent wide-ranging authority to act on behalf of the grantor. The person giving the POA has the right to specify exactly what decisions the agent is authorized to make, and can put as many restrictions and rules in place as they feel are necessary. This can include, for instance, requiring the agent to seek authorization from the grantor before making certain decisions. The POA must be signed by both parties and can usually be revoked at any time by the grantor. It can also be revoked if the grantor becomes incapacitated or dies. In the case of incapacitation, guardianship law takes precedence and a court appointed guardian would take over. Finally, it is important to note that a power of attorney is an important legal document. As such, it is always advisable to consult with a legal professional before transferring any decision-making authority to another person.

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What is a power of attorney?

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