What is an attorney-in-fact

An attorney-in-fact is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person in legal matters. This is often referred to as a “power of attorney” and is a legal document that grants the attorney-in-fact the authority to act on behalf of the other person.

The attorney-in-fact is typically appointed by the other person, known as the “principal”, and is responsible for carrying out certain tasks that the principal is unable to do. These tasks could include signing legal documents, making decisions on behalf of the principal, and managing their financial affairs. In some cases, the attorney-in-fact may also be allowed to make medical decisions for the principal.

The attorney-in-fact is held to a high standard of care and must act in the best interests of the principal. This means that the attorney-in-fact must act in accordance with the principal’s wishes and must not take any actions that would be detrimental to the principal.

The power of attorney can be revoked by the principal at any time, and the attorney-in-fact must abide by this decision. It is important to note that the power of attorney is not a permanent arrangement and may be revoked at any time.

In conclusion, an attorney-in-fact is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person in legal matters. The attorney-in-fact must act in accordance with the principal’s wishes and must not take any actions that would be detrimental to the principal. The power of attorney can be revoked by the principal at any time.