# Terms > Term of Power of Attorney, term of authority and similar Source: https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm · Updated 2 February 2023 - [**The term of a** ***Power of Attorney*** and term of **authority or appointment** of an agent **are different**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) - [**Obligations** and entitlements may arise **before performance of** substantive **tasks**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#obligations-and-entitlements-may-arise-before-performance-of-substantive-tasks) - [A *Power of Attorney* **may survive** the **incapacity of the principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#a-power-of-attorney-may-survive-the-incapacity-of-the-principal) - [A special word **about Florida**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#a-special-word-about-florida) ## Key Terms **Make this page just about term as in lifespan** Key terms of a *Power of Attorney*, include the terms governing: - the **lifespan** of a *Power of Attorney* - the **term of appointment** of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) - the **terms of authority** applicable in respect of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) These terms are fundamental to any *Power of Attorney*. Unless terms provide otherwise, it is generally assumed that:- - a *Power of Attorney* is intended to be become effective upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) - an *Power of Attorney* is intended to be become effective upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) There is a distinction between:- - the period between when a *Power of Attorney* is signed by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) of the *Power of Attorney* (i.e. the ‘lifespan’ of the *Power of Attorney*) - the period within the ‘lifespan’ of a *Power of Attorney* that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is eligible to be appointed as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) (i.e. ‘term of appointment’) In simpler *Powers of Attorney*, nothing is made of these concepts and the *Power of Atrorney* works to permit an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to be appointed throughout the lifespan of the *Power of Attorney* and the *Power of Attorney* simply begins when it is signed and ends when it is [revoked](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal). ### Illustrative Examples The following examples illustrate the notion of a ‘term’ in this context in different ways. #### Example 1 - Simple Arrangement Imagine a *Power of Attorney* under which an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is authorized to perform a certain [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) at all times that the *Power of Attorney* is on foot, that is from the time that the *Power of Attorney* is signed by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) (following the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) [accepting appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states)) to when the *Power of Attorney* [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end). This is the simplest possible arrangement, because it does not involve notions like ‘term of appointment’ or ‘term of authority’ because at all times during the ‘lifespan’ of the *Power of Attorney*, the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is authorized to perform the relevant [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks). #### Example 2 - Term of Authority Consider a *Power of Attorney* under which three (3) [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) are appointed, each with different expertise, the purpose of their appointment being to achieve a particular objective, such as an architect, builder and interior designer who are appointed as [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to create a house. Notwithstanding that all three (3) [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) have the same term of appointment, their respective terms of authority are different, because the architect would perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) before the builder and in turn, the interior designer would perform tasks after the builder. #### Example 3 - Term of Appointment Consider a *Powers of Attorney* under which:- - two (2) [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) are authorized to [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) and perform certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) within 8 weeks of the date that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) signs the *Power of Attorney* and which provides that 8 weeks from the date that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) signs the *Power of Attorney* their appointment or right to be appointed terminates - eight (8) weeks from the date that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) signs the *Power of Attorney* another [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) and thereafter, perform certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) In this example, the term of the *Power of Attorney* (i.e. its lifespan) is very different from the term of each [agent’s](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) appointment. Notably, the third [agent’s](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) appointment commences after the appointment of the first two [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal). ## Obligations And Entitlements May Arise Before Performance Of Substantive Tasks Distinctions of the kind illustrated by examples above may for example, be relevant in the context of [obligations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentoblig#an-agent-owes-various-duties-to-the-principal) owed by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) and [entitlements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agententitle#agent-may-be-entitled-to-remuneration-or-expenses) of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal). Taking the three (3) examples above, consider that:- - if a *Power of Attorney* provided that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) was entitled to certain benefits (i.e. contribution to day-to-day expenses such as residential, education, transport or other living costs): - in Example 1, it seems easier to suggest this would be an obvious entitlement than say, in respect of the third [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) in Example 3 - in Example 2, there may be uncertainty about these entitlements on the part of the third [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) (i.e. the interior designer) after they [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) and before the plans for the house have been prepared by the architect, or the house erected by the builder. - if a question arose with respect to discharge by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) of their [duties](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentoblig#an-agent-owes-various-duties-to-the-principal):- - in Example 1, the issues would be straightforward - in Example 2, there may be questions as to what [duties](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentoblig#an-agent-owes-various-duties-to-the-principal) the ‘last in time’ [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) (i.e. the interior designer) owe before they are put in a position to perform their [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) as a consequence of at least the architect performing their work - in Example 3, there seems little doubt that the ‘last in time’ [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) could not reasonably be said to owe any [duties](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentoblig#an-agent-owes-various-duties-to-the-principal) to the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) prior to [accepting appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) ## Acceptance of Appointment Where Agent’s Appointment or Effectiveness of *Power of Attorney* Deferred Where a *Power of Attorney* provides for an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to be appointed from a future point in time, perhaps for a fixed period, care should be taken to address the question of when an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states). It might for example, be recognized whether an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) before that time, or otherwise if that be preferred. This issue is also pertinent here a *Power of Attorney* provides for a *Power of Attorney* to become effective at a future point in time. Care should be taken to avoid any doubt as to when an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) and the effectiveness of any earlier [acceptance of appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states), that is, prior to the *Power of Attorney* becoming effective. Potentially, the latter is more problematic. A real question may arise as to whether it is possible for an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to [accept appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) before a *Power of Attorney* has become effective. It is invariably best for the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to manage these kinds of issues in their own, preferred terms. ## A *Power of Attorney* May Survive The Incapacity Of The Principal There is a page of this Wiki devoted to *Powers of Attorney* that survive the [incapacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#the-six-6-greater-states-have-defined-incapacity-in-legislation) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney). It is sufficient in this context to affirm that a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* survives the [incapacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#the-six-6-greater-states-have-defined-incapacity-in-legislation) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney). Briefly: | | | | --- | --- | | **New York**, **Illinois** and **Pennsylvania** | [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) provides that a *Power of Attorney* is assumed to be [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) unless the *Power of Attorney* provides otherwise (see **NY** [§5-1501A](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501A); **IL** [§2-5](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-5.html); **PA** [§5601.1](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5601-1.html)). | | **California**, **Texas** and **Florida** | [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) requires certain words to be included in a *Power of Attorney* to be effective if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses capacity (see **CA** [§4018](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4018.html); **TX** [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html); **FL** [§709.2104](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2104.html)). | ## A Special Word About Florida Some of the concepts above in respect of a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^1] may be qualified by [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). For example, in **Florida**:- - a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^2] that becomes effective at a future point in time is prohibited (see [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html)) - depending upon the meaning of the expression “becomes effective” in [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) it may not be possible for example, to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* in **Florida** of some of the kinds illustrated in the examples above [^1]: Being not a *Power of Attorney* excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - [click here](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) to read more. [^2]: Ibid.