What is a power of attorney?

• A. A legal document granting someone authority to act on your behalf in financial or medical matters.
• B. A license to practice medicine.
• C. A court order to seize assets.
• D. A document used only for medical decisions after death.

Answer: (A)

A power of attorney is a legal document that lets you designate someone you trust to handle your affairs when you can’t. It naming an agent to act on your behalf in financial matters—like paying bills, managing bank accounts, or signing financial documents—and/or in medical decisions—such as consenting to treatment or communicating with doctors. The agent’s authority is limited to what you specify and generally lasts while you’re alive, though you can make it durable so it continues if you become incapacitated, or limited to specific tasks. It’s not a medical license, a court order to seize assets, or something used after death; a POA terminates at your death and doesn’t govern decisions once you’re gone. You can revoke it anytime while you’re competent, and the agent has a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests.