Legal assistance or help from a lawyer is very important to make sure that necessary steps are performed to avoid the document being challenged. The power is granted to an attorney-in-fact or agent that would have the authority to decide on different matters. The person who is granting the authority would, of course, identify the scope of the mandate. You have to make sure the person you choose is trustworthy. Does the person truly understand your feelings? He/She should know you well so as to understand your own points of view and opinions. 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. Power of Attorney: A Brief Overview The power of attorney may seem like a legal jargon that only those who are well-versed in the technicalities of the law could understand. That is usually the case if you have encountered this term for the first time. However, nothing is complex or incomprehensible about it. For example, he/she must not be a stock investor who would gain more from buying your shares in a company in an inappropriate manner or pricing. The agent should be firm in keeping accurate all records pertaining to all transactions he/she gets into on your behalf. You could have the option not to include specifications or instructions that would give your agent the permission to transfer to himself/herself any of your property or bank account. If you appoint someone as your attorney-in-fact, that person can sign the mortgage on your behalf. As a result, you can get the money necessary for paying your bills. Getting a POA is a better choice compared to having a conservator, which is a guardian assigned to you by the local probate court. Probate hearings usually take time to complete, not to mention that you are going to incur more expenses than you would with a POA. Because the control granted to an agent is limitless, the general type has a wider scope than the other one. This means that the agent enjoys the same amount of privileges and access to the assets of the principal. For example, the agent can have access to the safety deposit box of the principal and transfer sales or investments, among other powers.