Defined. A power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint a person to act as your agent to perform specified acts or to handle your affairs. The power granted to your agent may be either special (limited) or general (full). The person you appoint is referred to as an "Attorney-in-Fact" or "Agent."

Specific vs General. If the power entrusted is for a specific purpose or task, i.e. conveying a piece of property, it is known as a "Specific Power of Attorney" or "Special Power of Attorney." If the power conveys general powers to an agent, it is known as the "General Power of Attorney." While the Specific Power of Attorney ends when the agent's task is completed, the General Power of Attorney comes to an end when the principal is dead or when the principal cancels it by issuing a notice to his agent.

Voting at Elections. With a properly executed power of attorney, an agent would have the power to cast a ballot on behalf of an owner. It could be used in lieu of a proxy.