Definition of "Power of attorney"

Legal instrument whereby an individual is given the right to act on behalf of another individual. For example, the right to buy and sell stock and to sign all brokerage papers relating to buying and selling in a stockholder's account is given by the stockholder to another individual through power of attorney. Or the right to decide which settlement option is to be used under a life insurance policy may be given by a policy owner to another individual. Experts often advise extreme care in assigning a power of attorney since that person becomes free to make financial decisions that can enhance or ruin an individual represented.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Type of guaranteed investment contract in which funds for the contract are placed in the insurance company's separate account. ...

Legislation that provided temporary rules for implementing the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (erisa). ...

Effort by an individual to continue to receive disability income benefits by taking a continuing sickness or injury. ...

Stealing small amounts of property. Insurance coverage is available under a number of policies. ...

Return of a percentage of premium paid by a business firm if its loss record is better than the amount loaded into the basic premium. ...

Difference between the yield on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. ...

Latin phrase meaning "without which not," signifying a legal rule in tort and negligence cases. Under this rule, a plaintiff trying to prove that an injury was a direct result of a ...

Requirement that the deductible must be met for each separate illness or accident before benefits are payable under major medical insurance. ...

Conveying of assets from the donor to the beneficiary as a means of minimizing the legal tax obligation of the estate of the donor and avoiding probate. ...

Popular Insurance Questions