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

Activists are holding meetings to advise people about their legal rights and families have been drafting powers of attorney. —Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Haart has also been granted power of attorney over the half belonging to her ex. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025

In one case, a caregiver hired by an 84-year-old bedridden senior forged the senior’s signature to create a false power of attorney. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

For those named as executors, trustees, or powers of attorney, early conversations provide an opportunity to prepare for their responsibilities and avoid surprises. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

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)