Which document serves as a legal authorization for someone to act on behalf of another?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants one individual the authority to act on behalf of another in legal or financial matters. This designation allows the agent named in the document to make decisions and take actions as if they were the principal, effectively representing their interests. The Power of Attorney can be broad or limited, depending on the specific powers given, and may encompass areas such as managing real estate transactions, handling bank accounts, and making health care decisions. Because it empowers an individual to act in a representative capacity, it is critical for facilitating various legal processes, especially when someone can’t be present to conduct their affairs personally.

In contrast, other documents such as the Quit Claim Deed, Trustee's Deed, and Special Warranty Deed are primarily concerned with the transfer of property ownership rather than granting authority to act on someone else's behalf. A Quit Claim Deed conveys whatever interest the grantor has in a property without any guarantees, a Trustee's Deed involves transferring property from a trust, and a Special Warranty Deed offers limited warranties only related to the period the grantor owned the property. None of these documents serve the purpose of delegating authority, which is the essential function of a Power of Attorney.