A power of attorney is an instrument (a legally binding document) that allows an individual, a partnership, or a corporation to authorize a specific individual to act as its agent or attorney in fact for certain matters.

An agent (attorney in fact) so appointed by you is then authorized to act in place of you -the person executing said power of attorney. It must be noted, however, that a power of attorney does not authorize your agent (an individual) to practice law like an attorney. Unlike attorney in fact, a lawyer or an attorney at law is licensed by the state to engage in the practice of law.

It must be noted that a general power of attorney must conform substantially to the Official Form 11A, and it must be acknowledged before an authorized person. Persons considered to be an authorized person may include -depending up on the state laws -Bankruptcy judges, clerks, and deputy clerks of bankruptcy courts, United States trustees, as well as diplomats and/or consular officers of the United States in any foreign country. A Notary Public is also considered to an authorized person provided (s)he is duly authorized by the state government to administer oaths, to take acknowledgments, and to attest to and to certify with an official seal the authenticity of signatures.

Filling out Power of Attorney Form:

The Official General Power of Attorney Form may be used with alterations as may be considered appropriate. It is required, however, to place The Caption (i.e. a short title) at the top of the form. The name of the individual who is being authorized to act as an agent or attorney in fact should be placed on the first line. Then the address of the attorney in fact should be stated. The second line thereafter should only be used if more than one individual is being authorized to act as an agent. In that case, the name and the address of a second person should be placed on the second line. This document should be signed and dated in the presence of a notary public (or a person authorized to take acknowledgments) by the individual (or the individual acting on behalf of a partnership or a corporation) that is granting a power of attorney. An individual should sign on the first line after the word Signed, and print his/her name on the second line after the word By. If the individual is acting on behalf of a partnership or corporation, (s)he should print the name of the partnership or corporation on the first line, then sign his/her own name on the second line, and then state his/her title on the third line. Additional lines provided there may be used for recording the address of the individual granting the power of attorney.

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Power of Attroney related documents available at this website include: General Power of Attroney, Medical Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney, Springing Power of Attorney , Limited Power of Attorney, and Power of Attorney Forms.

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