What is the term for the person authorized to act on behalf of the principal under a power of attorney?

What is the term for the person authorized to act on behalf of the principal under a power of attorney?

• A. Principal
• B. Self-dealing
• C. Agent or attorney-in-fact
• D. Advance healthcare directive

Answer: (C)

In a power of attorney, the person given the authority to act for the principal is the agent, or attorney-in-fact. The principal is the one who creates the instrument and grants authority. The agent has a fiduciary duty to act within the scope of power granted and in the principal’s best interests. Self-dealing would be a breach of that fiduciary duty, occurring when the agent uses authority for personal gain. An advance healthcare directive, on the other hand, is a separate document that spells out medical preferences or appoints a health care agent, not the general role under a power of attorney.

In a power of attorney, the person given the authority to act for the principal is the agent, or attorney-in-fact. The principal is the one who creates the instrument and grants authority. The agent has a fiduciary duty to act within the scope of power granted and in the principal’s best interests. Self-dealing would be a breach of that fiduciary duty, occurring when the agent uses authority for personal gain. An advance healthcare directive, on the other hand, is a separate document that spells out medical preferences or appoints a health care agent, not the general role under a power of attorney.