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 charges stem from Hill meeting with the 96-year-old woman in March 2021, taking power of attorney over her a month later and allegedly exploiting her financially for about three years, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Bailey spends much of her time teaching and training others on obtaining and using powers of attorney, executing wills, understanding trusts, and understanding the yearly changes in Medicaid. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024

In the above story, the author suggests that older clients need a financial power of attorney. —Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

But the next day, Kruse says Froch sent her a cease-and-desist on behalf of Presley, revoking her power of attorney and alleging self-dealing. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2024

Through this collaboration, an estate lawyer helped an individual living with ALS create a will and power of attorney. —Anna Chu, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Key documents, including a last will, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living will, and trusts, collectively safeguard assets, streamline the transfer process, and mitigate potential financial burdens on families. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 23 Jan. 2024

Epstein flew to and from Columbus frequently Epstein’s jet flew into Columbus frequently in the early 1990s, the time period that aligns with when Wexner gave him power of attorney over his finances in 1991, and Epstein’s 1992 appointment as a trustee for the Wexner Foundation. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2024

In 1991, Wexner granted Epstein power of attorney over his fortune, enabling Epstein to hire people, buy and sell properties, and borrow money on Wexner’s behalf, per the Times. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 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)