What is the main function of a power of attorney?

The main function of a power of attorney is to allow someone to make decisions on behalf of another person. This legal document grants a designated individual, known as the agent or attorney-in-fact, the authority to act on behalf of the person who creates it, referred to as the principal. This can include making financial decisions, managing property, or making healthcare choices when the principal is unable to do so themselves.

This arrangement is particularly useful in situations where the principal may be incapacitated or unavailable to make decisions. The authority granted can be broad or limited, depending on how the power of attorney is drafted, allowing for flexibility in its use while ensuring that the principal's interests are still represented.

In contrast, other options reflect different concepts that do not accurately describe the primary function of a power of attorney. Transferring all legal rights permanently suggests a total relinquishment of control, which is not how a power of attorney operates. Likewise, limiting an individual's rights indefinitely does not capture the temporary and specific nature of the authority granted. Finally, while a power of attorney may create obligations, its main purpose is specifically about delegation of decision-making authority rather than creating legal obligations in general.