General Power of Attorney – What is its purpose?

A General Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to authorize or appoint someone or an organization to act on your behalf and handle your personal affairs in your absence.

General Power of Attorney – The required fields to be filled out

The following information is needed to be filled out in the form:

1. Name of the person who is authorizing someone the power of attorney.
2. Name of the person to be appointed as the power of attorney.
3. Date on which the document is signed by both the parties.
4. Signatures by both the parties.
5. It should be signed by the notary public.

After filling out the important details, don’t forget to get the signatures witnessed and notarized by the notary public. Notarization is very important as it prevents someone to forge the real signatures. Another importance of notarization is that the document is recorded to be used in future if you (the person who is authorizing someone the power of attorney or a principal) are dealing with any real estate transactions.

Since General Power of Attorney a legal document, make yourself aware of all the details prior to appointing someone the general power of attorney. You can also get legal advice from your lawyer in that case.

General Power of Attorney – The importance of the document

In case of a general power of attorney, you’re the principal while the person or the organization you are appointing as a power of attorney is your agent. The agent has to abide by the terms and conditions of the document. The agent has a lot of duties as a power of attorney such as, handling your banking transactions, receiving certain confidential documents, filling out important forms, buying life insurance, etc.

Unless and until you revoke the duties of the representative (the General Power of Attorney), he continues to acts as your power of attorney. Medical decisions are not to be taken by your representative but by a healthcare or medical power of attorney. The general power of attorney usually takes care of things when you’re unable to do them or in your absence, which is for a given period of time. You should be mentally healthy and competent while signing the documents. If it’s doubtful, you have to get the agreement of a physician. You must choose a person who is trustworthy and can be relied on.