Power of Attorney Format

Power of attorney is a major decision and should be taken with utmost care. In this, one person grants authority to another person to act on his or her behalf through power of attorney. The person who grants authority is known as principal or maker. The person to whom the authority is granted is known as agent or attorney-in-fact. The principal has the full right to revoke that authority at any time.

It is a legal document governed by the powers of attorney act, 1888. There is no registration procedure for power of attorney. Power of attorney must be registered in the case of immovable property.

In case of India, power of attorney can be authenticated by the registrar or sub-registrar of district or sub-district where principal resides whereas power of attorney can be authenticated by notary public or any court, judge, magistrate, Indian counsel or via counsel or representative of the central government in case it is executed outside India.

1. General power of attorney – In general power of attorney, principal authorizes the holder of power of attorney to handle his immovable and movable property and gives him the power to take any decision on his behalf.
2. Special power of attorney – In special power of attorney, principal authorizes the holder of power of attorney to handle limited activities or rights on his or her behalf.

A Person appointed under POA should be a trusted family member, friend or an associate. It is better to choose a trustworthy person like family member, a good friend or a reputable and honest person as POA rather than choosing a not much known or an unknown person. It is very important decision to choose a POA as it is like signing a blank cheque, it should be done with utmost care.

A power of attorney can comes to an end for a number of reasons –

1. POA revoked by principal
2. POA invalidated by the court
3. Death of principal
4. Principal divorces his or her spouse happens to be the agent
5. Agent unable to carry out the specified responsibilities.