durable power of attorney
Enduring legal authorization
A durable power of attorney is a legal document authorizing someone to act on your behalf that remains valid even if you become mentally incapacitated.
The "durable" distinguishes it from ordinary powers of attorney, which terminate when the principal loses capacity.
Often used for healthcare decisions or financial management: My mother signed a durable power of attorney naming me her agent before the dementia progressed.
- agentOne who acts independently
- trusteeOne managing another's assets
- willFaculty of deliberate choice
- healthcare proxyAppointed medical decision-maker
- principalChief school administrator
legal authority · fiduciary · document · revocation · probate · advance directive · end of life · notary · signature · incapacity · informed consent · statutory law · binding agreement · beneficiary · estate planning · authorization · living trust · proxy
durable power of attorneyguardianship
Legal care of another
conservatorship · court-appointed guardian · legal guardianship · personal autonomy · self-determination
durable power of attorneyinvoluntary commitment
Mandated psychiatric institutionalization
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