Another advantage of a power of attorney is its importance in making healthcare decisions. A power of attorney can also be given to people, authorizing them to refuse or allow medical care to the principal if they become incapable of making decisions for themselves. This also includes making the decision to pull the plug in cases when only a machine is keeping the principal alive. This type of power of attorney would be valid unless specified by the document, the principal dies or revokes the document, or the document specifies that it would end upon the event when the principal gets incapacitated or disabled. Specific power of attorney If the attorney-in-fact is only granted authority over specific transactions like collecting debts, buying and selling property, then it is referred to as the specific power of attorney. If you think that person really understands your feelings, you could be sure he/she would follow and stick to your personal wishes if ever you get incapacitated. Would the person be willing to spend time to handle your affairs? We are all busy. Perhaps, the person you are appointing as your attorney-in-fact could be busier than you are. It could be done as long as the information or the limitation of the capabilities is specified in the power of attorney. Before specifying the name of the agent in the power of attorney, the principal should talk to the agents first and ask them if they are willing to be agents. There are no organizations, departments or governing agency that would monitor the agent, it would rely on the principal and the principal s relatives to monitor if the agent is carrying what is stipulated in the power of attorney. If they cannot make it to one area, they usually send a representative with a power of attorney to sign their documents for them. In corporations, the grantee or the proxy (the one given the power of attorney) is often an attorney to keep things legal but in truth, anybody can be given a power of attorney, even those who are not lawyers. Principals who are physically injured, sick or mentally unhealthy are deemed incapable of giving power of attorneys. When power of attorneys are given under these circumstances, all the legal documents the agent signs or agrees to will not be honored in court and will be deemed ineffective. Also, the scope of the power of attorney will also become ineffective when the principal dies or becomes incapacitated, meaning if they suddenly suffer from an illness, physical or mental.