power of attorney
A written document that gives one person the legal power to act for another in specified matters.
Definition
A power of attorney is a formal document through which one person, the grantor, authorizes another to act for them. The authority can be narrow, such as signing a single sale, or broad, such as managing finances. It is one of the clearest examples of agency in law because it records the principal's grant of authority in writing. Requirements for validity, witnessing and revocation differ by country. Businesses encounter it when an individual signs on behalf of another or when an agency is allowed to act in a platform account. Seek qualified advice before relying on one.
In a sentence
The owner signed a limited power of attorney so the representative could close the sale.
A power of attorney can usually be revoked while the grantor has capacity.
