Specific Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a written document stating that one person gives to another the full power and authority to represent him or her. The person who gives the power is the principal, and the person who receives the power is the attorney-in-fact or agent. A Power of Attorney must be signed by both the agent and the principal, witnessed by two people and notarized.

The General Power of Attorney gives your agent the power to represent you and make decisions for you in all your personal, legal and financial matters (except for your medical care and treatement). Specific or Limited Power of Attorney, on the other hand, is one that only gives your agent power to represent you and otherwise make decisions for you in specific areas.

The following is a popular way a Specific Power of Attorney is used:

Many military people and overseas contractors prepare Powers of Attorney that are immediately effective, so their wives, husbands or other family members in the United States can deposit paychecks, make purchases, pay bills and otherwise represent them financially or legally while they are away or otherwise not available to handle these matters themselves.