What does a Power of Attorney allow an individual to do?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants an individual the authority to act on behalf of another person in various legal matters. This designation is typically broad, allowing the appointed person, often referred to as the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact," to manage a wide range of responsibilities, including financial transactions, legal decisions, and other actions that the individual may not be able to undertake themselves due to incapacity or unavailability.

The power conferred by a Power of Attorney can be limited or general, depending on the specific needs of the person granting the authority. It allows the agent to make decisions, sign documents, and handle matters that the principal would otherwise be required to address personally. This legal empowerment ensures that someone is available to take necessary actions when the individual is unable to do so.

The other options are more restrictive in their scope. Managing medical affairs typically requires a specific form of Power of Attorney for healthcare, which is only one aspect of the broader capabilities granted by a general Power of Attorney. Similarly, making educational decisions or providing investment advice may fall under more specialized powers of attorneys but do not encompass the general authority that a Power of Attorney provides in legal matters. Thus, the ability to act on behalf of another in legal