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

If possible, that includes obtaining a power of attorney, designating an adult who can care for children or a family's finances in the event one or both parents are detained. —Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024

Having a power of attorney might give the power holder such signature authority. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The unraveling In the weeks after Lambert’s death, the group fabricated powers of attorney in Lambert’s name, drained roughly $200,000 from his bank account and met with a pair of real estate agents in an effort to sell his home, the prosecutor said. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

What To Do? CD had been appointed EM’s agent with power of attorney. —Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 29 Oct. 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)