The Durable Power of Attorney is an instrument designed to authorize another person (attorney in fact) to act on your behalf . The attorney in fact has those powers which you have granted in the document and under law. The document is called “durable” because the power does not cease if the principal becomes mentally incapacitated. The document authorizes the attorney in fact to make financial decisions for you (in the event you are unable to make those decisions) as long as you live or until you revoke and cancel the document.
As long as you wish and are mentally competent, you retain all power to make your own decisions. The POA does not normally deal with terminal illness or comatose conditions since such matters are normally dealt with via the use of the ADHC or POAHC.
