Power of attorney gives one person the right to conduct business, medical, guardianship, or tax related matters on behalf of another. The person who gives this power is known as the principal, and the person who accepts it and exercises it is called the ‘attorney in fact’ or the agent. There is a general version that grants the agent a wide range of authority to perform most any act the principal may authorize, and there is a limited version, which specifies the agent’s actions to actions the principal specifies. This type of document may be durable, meaning that the agent will continue to have authority to act for the principal if he or she becomes incapacitated. If any of the parties involved would like to know more about their rights they may review the probate code for the California power of attorney law (4000 thru 4545).
