power of attorney

noun phrase

: a legal instrument authorizing one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor

Examples of power of attorney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first set has to do with health care, which combines the appointment of a healthcare representative, the healthcare power of attorney and advanced directive, which includes a living will, into a single document. —Elliot Raphaelson, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025

Bergin also advised that those who are here without documentation prepare a power of attorney to protect their children, money and property. —Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025

Start with a financial and health care power of attorney. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024

Clarissa Desmond and Adrian Dawn, a married couple from Independence, Kentucky, came to fill out living wills, last wills and durable power of attorney forms. —Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

power of attorney

: an instrument containing an authorization for one to act as the agent of the principal that terminates especially upon revocation by the principal or death of the principal or agent

called also letter of attorney

— durable power of attorney

: a power of attorney that becomes effective immediately and is not affected by the principal's subsequent incapacity or that becomes effective only upon the principal's incapacity

— general power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing the agent to carry on business or an enterprise for the principal compare special power of attorney in this entry

— health care power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing an agent to make health care decisions in the event of incapacity

called also medical power of attorney

— irrevocable power of attorney

: a power of attorney that cannot be revoked by the principal

— special power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing the agent to carry out a particular business transaction for the principal

— springing power of attorney

: a power of attorney that comes into effect only upon the occurrence of a specified condition (as the incapacity of the principal)