# What Uses Does A Power of Attorney Have? > What uses does a Power of Attorney have? Source: https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use · Updated 2 February 2023 **Overview** - **This page examines uses for a *Power of Attorney*.** **Headings** The headings on this page are: - [why would a person use a *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#why-would-a-person-use-a-power-of-attorney) - [use of *Powers of Attorney* by commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#use-of-powers-of-attorney-by-commercial-entities) - [deciding whether to use a durable or non-durable *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#deciding-whether-to-use-a-durable-or-non-durable-power-of-attorney) - [uses for non-durable *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#uses-for-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) - [uses for durable *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#uses-for-durable-powers-of-attorney) ### Use of a By A Partnership, Trust or Corporation Partnerships, trusts, corporations or associations often use *Powers of Attorney* to:- - [delegate tasks to professionals](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#professionals-may-usefully-be-appointed-as-agents) - allow a single member to [sign](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-signs-where-the-principal-would-sign) certain documents - assign liability for the performance of [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) to certain members - direct liability to fall otherwise than upon the [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) > #### Tax Lodgments > > Let's say under a *Power of Attorney* for a partnership to get the tax lodgements done: > > - one partner is responsible for lodging tax returns on a yearly basis, audited by an accountant > - another partner pays the accountant who audits the annual accounts > - the class of [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is defined in a *Power of Attorney* to include all members of the partnership > - the two (2) responsible partners (i.e. the partners who arrange the tax returns and pay the accountant) are replaced by other partners annually > > Lots of tasks could be organised to be performed on behalf of a partnership using these kinds of arrangements. > #### Estate Planning > > Let's say in a *Power of Attorney* for a partnership for [estate planning](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-estate-planning) purposes: > > - the partnership is defined as the preferred [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) of the principal but for the performance of certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) > - a class of [successor agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/successoragents#a-successor-agent-replaces-an-original-agent-who-is-ineligible) are nominated > - [successor agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/successoragents#a-successor-agent-replaces-an-original-agent-who-is-ineligible) are authorised to delegate management of the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) interests in the partnership to the remaining partners as their [sub-agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/subagents#an-original-agent-or-successor-agent-may-be-authorized-to-appoint-sub-agents) if the partner becomes unable to fulfil their functions as a partner > - this authority exclude any rights to income, which are to be managed by the nominated agent in accordance with independent legal advice, > > Lots of tasks could be organised to be performed on behalf of a partnership using these kinds of arrangements. What if rights to manage any claim for income rested with the [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) and the [successor agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/successoragents#a-successor-agent-replaces-an-original-agent-who-is-ineligible) being required to account for the income. ### For A Sole Trader Partnerships, trusts, corporations or associations often use *Powers of Attorney* to:- ### Some Other Examples Let's say you are in **California** and you want a local university professor to solve a technical problem. Or you want to ensure that if you had a bad car accident, the best people care for you. Or you need to fly overseas to help someone who is having a crisis and you will be gone for a few months. Perhaps you just have too much to do and would happily pay someone to help you. *Powers of Attorney* offer you a convenient way to regulate these kinds of dealings, often with the benefit of [enforceable rights](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#in-most-of-the-six-6-greater-states-an-agent-can-demand-a-third-party-do-business-with-an-agent). With the right *Power of Attorney*, if that expert stole your idea, or you had that car accident, or had to fly overseas tonight to save someone's life, or wanted someone to help you today, you would have a solution. In **California**, and you want a local university professor to solve a technical problem in California for example, damages may be double and you would in principle, be entitled to every dollar the expert gained from making use of your idea twice over, in reliance upon principles applicable to *Powers of Attorney* that are not commonly engaged in the course of engaging in other financial transactions, such as for example, retaining a local professor under an ordinary contract for services to design a particular solution. ordinary people collecting debts or arranging management of financial affairs perhaps as a service, including book-keepers assuming functions to liaise with an accountant, or [Commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) such as a partnerships, trusts, corporations or associations often use *Powers of Attorney* to improve how they operate, including [delegation of tasks to professionals](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#professionals-may-usefully-be-appointed-as-agents). Retaining an expert to find a solution, arrange or conduct an audit, collect a debt, maintain registrations, manage software, lodge tax returns, arrange insurances, manage or sell property. A lot of these *Powers of Attorney* are [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) Choosing to have a higher degree of control over the relationship, by assuming the role of principal under a *Power of Attorney*. You might create a *Power of Attorney* to employ a suitably qualified expert to design a business plan. With a *Power of Attorney* if the expert attempts to steal your idea, in California for example, damages may be double and you would in principle, be entitled to every dollar the expert gained from making use of your idea twice over, in reliance upon principles applicable to *Powers of Attorney* that are not commonly engaged in the course of engaging in other financial transactions, such as for example, retaining a local professor under an ordinary contract for services to design a particular solution. ordinary people collecting debts or arranging management of financial affairs perhaps as a service, including book-keepers assuming functions to liaise with an accountant, or [Commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) such as a partnerships, trusts, corporations or associations often use *Powers of Attorney* to improve how they operate, including [delegation of tasks to professionals](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#professionals-may-usefully-be-appointed-as-agents). *Powers of Attorney* are used by all kinds of legal entities to get a particular [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) or [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) done. [**powersofattorney.com**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/) supplies premium *Powers of Attorney* for wide-ranging [purposes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#what-uses-does-a-power-of-attorney-have). *Powers of Attorney* are used by all kinds of [legal entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-entity) to get a particular [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) or [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) done. [**powersofattorney.com**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/) supplies premium *Powers of Attorney* for wide-ranging [purposes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/use#what-uses-does-a-power-of-attorney-have). ### Why Would A Person Use A *Power of Attorney* Whilst a *Power of Attorney* is often perceived as a tool to enable documents to be signed by one [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) on behalf of another, signing documents is only one of many kinds of [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#use-of-various-kinds-of-powers-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) may be authorized to perform. A *Power of Attorney* might be used because, for example:- - a certain [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) cannot be in two places at once - a [legal entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-entity) (including a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)) does not want to do something - a certain [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) they do not want to be somewhere A *Power of Attorney* might also be used to acquire incidental benefits, for example to [protect confidential information](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-must-keep-information-confidential). ### Use of *Powers of Attorney* By Commercial Entities A *Power of Attorney* might be used by a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) (*such as a corporation, partnership, association etc.*):- - to confidently[^1] appoint someone with certain expertise to perform particular [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) - to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) when a key signatory is absent for travel, medical treatment, holiday leave etc. - in the context of business succession arrangements - to permit one [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) to register a document, access funds or perform another [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) in the name of another [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) - to authorize the performance of any other [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) on behalf of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) A group of [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) might use *Powers of Attorney* to achieve shared business objectives.[^2] ### Deciding Whether To Use a Durable or Non-Durable *Power of Attorney* For a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person), there is the option to use either a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, depending upon their needs. A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* continues to operate if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). For someone deciding for example, whether to use a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*: - invariably, wherever a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is used, a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may also be used, subject to ensuring its terms render the *Power of Attorney* [fit for purpose](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#must-be-fit-for-purpose) - despite being able to use a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) may choose not to do so, because they do not want the *Power of Attorney* to continue to operate if they lose [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) - conversely, where a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is used, it is often impossible to use a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* ### Uses For Non-Durable *Powers of Attorney* [Non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* may be used to perform specific transactions or to delegate [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) authority. For example, a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* might be used:- - for everyday purposes (*for example, to authorize someone as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to sell a car*) - in a business transaction (*for example, an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* in conjunction with a loan agreement*) - to authorize a [professional](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#professionals-may-usefully-be-appointed-as-agents) or someone with particular expertise to do something - in an employment context, to authorize an employee to perform certain transactions on behalf of their employer - when managing property, for example to authorize someone to arrange repairs, insurances, collect rent etc. - in a [taxation](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p216.pdf) context, such as to authorize a tax agent to effect lodgements - in a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) context, including for example, authority to perform "*any [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) subsequently specified in writing*" - in a risk management context, for example to authorize someone to audit certain accounts or records - in virtually any [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) context to do anything the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) could do for themselves - any time a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) doesn't want to be somewhere, or doesn't want to something - any time a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) wants to [keep information confidential](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-must-keep-information-confidential) - any time an [LLP](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-llp) or [LLC](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-llc) (or other kind of [legal entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-entity)) wants to achieve these kinds of benefits, or 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) - in [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) and other [federal legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#federal-code) settings - for purposes recognized under statute (see for example [§202](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/elections-code/elec-sect-202.html) of the *California Election Code* or [§1305](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/insurance-code/ins-sect-1305.html) & [§1306](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/insurance-code/ins-sect-1306.html) of the *California Insurance Code*) ### Uses For Durable *Powers of Attorney* [Durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* may be used by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person):- - in an [estate planning](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-estate-planning) context (i.e. preserving wealth and and distributing it on death) - in a specific [simpler](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#use-in-simpler-transactions) or [sophisticated](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#use-in-sophisticated-transactions) transaction - in a [risk management](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#use-in-a-risk-management-context) context (i.e. to guard against the risk of misadventure) A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* is used where the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) wants the *Power of Attorney* to continue to remain effective, if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is not simply a *Power of Attorney* that authorizes the performance of certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) if and when the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). To illustrate, consider that a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* might be used where:- - the intention of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is only to authorize the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) at any time that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) has [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs); and - the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) prefers that in the event that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) for a period of time, the *Power of Attorney* does not [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) or perhaps become [suspended](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limitations-of-the-usual-definition) or [voidable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limitations-of-the-usual-definition); and - the *Power of Attorney* is preferred to remain on foot during any period that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs); and - the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is not permitted to perform any [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) at any time that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) **State Specific Information** **California** [**California**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use) - [What uses does a *Power of Attorney* have in California?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#what-uses-does-a-power-of-attorney-have-in-california) - [Who uses a *Power of Attorney* in California?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#who-uses-a-power-of-attorney-in-california) - [What may only a person use a *Power of Attorney* for in California?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#what-may-only-a-person-use-a-power-of-attorney-for-in-california) - [*Powers of Attorney* for non-health care related purposes in California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#powers-of-attorney-for-non-health-care-related-purposes-in-california) - [Non-durable *Powers of Attorney* in California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#non-durable-powers-of-attorney-in-california) - [*Powers of Attorney* for health care in California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#powers-of-attorney-for-health-care-in-california) - [Delegating personal tasks in California using a *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#delegating-personal-tasks-in-california-using-a-power-of-attorney) **Texas** [**Texas**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use) - [What uses does a *Power of Attorney* have in Texas?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#what-uses-does-a-power-of-attorney-have-in-california) - [Who uses a *Power of Attorney* in Texas?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#who-uses-a-power-of-attorney-in-california) - [What may only a person use a *Power of Attorney* for in Texas?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#what-may-only-a-person-use-a-power-of-attorney-for-in-california) - [*Powers of Attorney* for non-health care related purposes in Texas](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#powers-of-attorney-for-non-health-care-related-purposes-in-california) - [Non-durable *Powers of Attorney* in Texas](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#non-durable-powers-of-attorney-in-california) - [*Powers of Attorney* for health care in Texas](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#powers-of-attorney-for-health-care-in-california) - [Delegating personal tasks in Texas using a *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/california/use#delegating-personal-tasks-in-california-using-a-power-of-attorney) **New York** The headings on the next page are: **Florida** The headings on the next page are: **Illinois** The headings on the next page are: **Pennsylvania** The headings on the next page are: **Next Page** **Overview** - **The [next page](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa) contains a nutshell overview of *Powers of Attorney*.** **Headings** The headings on the next page are: - [A *Power of Attorney* is **defined by its terms**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-is-defined-by-its-terms) - [What are the **meanings of the different titles** for *Powers of Attorney*?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#what-are-the-meanings-of-the-different-titles-for-powers-of-attorney) - [What **unique language** applies to *Powers of Attorney* in California?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#what-unique-language-applies-to-powers-of-attorney-in-california) - [**Key events** in the life of a *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#key-events-in-the-life-of-a-power-of-attorney) - [**Creation**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#creation) - [**Signing** by the principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#signing-by-the-principal) - [**Between** acceptance of **appointment and termination**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#between-acceptance-of-appointment-and-termination) - [**Termination**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#termination) - [**How** does a *Power of Attorney* **protect its user**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#how-does-a-power-of-attorney-protect-its-user) - [With so much protection, **why wouldn't someone use a Power of Attorney**?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#with-so-much-protection-why-wouldnt-someone-use-a-power-of-attorney) - [**What tasks cannot be delegated** using a *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#what-tasks-cannot-be-delegated-using-a-power-of-attorney) - [What kinds of *Powers of Attorney* **cannot be used** for particular purposes?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#what-kinds-of-powers-of-attorney-cannot-be-used-for-particular-purposes) - [What about **government forms**?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#what-about-government-forms) - [A *Power of Attorney* may be **specific or general**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-be-specific-or-general) - [A *Power of Attorney* may be **created by a person or a commercial entity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-be-created-by-a-person-or-a-commercial-entity) - [In California, **if the principal is a person** the *Power of Attorney* is **typically governed by legislation**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#in-california-if-the-principal-is-a-person-the-power-of-attorney-is-typically-governed-by-legislation) - [In California, **if the principal is a commercial entity** the *Power of Attorney* is **not governed by legislation**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#in-california-if-the-principal-is-a-commercial-entity-the-power-of-attorney-is-not-governed-by-the-legislation) - [A *Power of Attorney* **must identify an agent**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-must-identify-an-agent) - [A *Power of Attorney* may be used to **appoint a commercial entity as an agent**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-be-used-to-appoint-a-commercial-entity-as-an-agent) - [A *Power of Attorney* may have **multiple officeholders**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-have-multiple-officeholders) - [**Successor agents**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#successor-agents) - [**Sub-Agents**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#sub-agents) - [**Protectors** and **monitors**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#protectors-monitors) - [**Sub-servants** and **monitors**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#sub-servants-delegates) - [A *Power of Attorney* may be used to **allocate different tasks to different agents**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-be-used-to-allocate-different-tasks-to-different-agents) - [A *Power of Attorney* may be designed to **operate when the principal lacks capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-be-designed-to-operate-when-the-principal-lacks-capacity) - [A *Power of Attorney* may require inclusion of **positive duty to act**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-may-require-express-inclusion-of-any-positive-duty-to-act) - [A *Power of Attorney* **terminates upon completion of the authorized tasks**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-completion-of-the-authorized-tasks) - [A *Power of Attorney* is **typically written**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-is-typically-written) - [A *Power of Attorney* must be **created in accordance with all relevant laws**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-must-be-created-in-accordance-with-all-relevant-laws) - [A *Power of Attorney* must be **fit for purpose**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#a-power-of-attorney-must-be-fit-for-purpose) - [Use of Powers of Attorney for **mixed purposes in California and Florida**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#use-of-powers-of-attorney-for-mixed-purposes-in-california-and-florida) - [**Terms**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#terms) - [**Rights, entitlements** & **obligations**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#rights-entitlements-obligations) - [**Refinement of laws** governing *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#refinement-of-laws-governing-powers-of-attorney) - [Are *Powers of Attorney* **laws difference from state to state**?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#are-powers-of-attorney-laws-different-from-state-to-state) - [Examples of **similarities**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#examples-of-similarities) - [**California compared to other states**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#california-compared-to-other-states) [^1]: Confident the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) will have a [fiduciary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-fiduciary) duty to protect the interests of the [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity). [^2]: For example, a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) might authorize a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) to control certain funds held in a bank account in the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) name to arrange payment of expenses related a project, on terms whereby the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may pay the due monies to creditors as the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) and the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) remains liable for any mishandling.