What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which a person (the “principal”) gives another person (the “agent”) the power to perform acts on the principal’s behalf. A Power of Attorney is usually needed if the principal becomes ill or incapacitated and unable to make decisions or manage their own affairs. A Healthcare Power of Attorney gives the principal’s agent the power to make health care decisions on behalf of the principal, while a Durable Power of Attorney allows the agent to manage the principal’s assets and finances and do anything else the principal could have done if he or she was able.