A general power of attorney is a public document executed before a notary by which one person (the grantor) gives another (the attorney-in-fact or representative) broad, general powers to act on their behalf in a range of legal, administrative or commercial matters.
What is it for?
- Managing assets and property
- Legal representation in court cases and proceedings
- Managing businesses, contracts and financial transactions
- Dealing with formalities before authorities and public or private bodies
What does the notary do?
- Receives the request and the details of the grantor and the representative
- Drafts the power of attorney with broad, general powers
- Verifies the identity and legal capacity of the parties
- Attests with public authority to the execution of the power of attorney
- Registers or files the document as appropriate
Main features
- Broad powers with no specific limitation
- It may be valid indefinitely or until revoked
- Broad, general representation
- Always executed before a notary to be fully valid
Important considerations
- The representative can act in almost all of the grantor's affairs
- It can be revoked by the grantor at any time
- It is advisable to grant it only to people you trust completely
- It must be used carefully to prevent abuse
Legal value
A general power of attorney has full legal value, guaranteeing the authenticity and validity of the authority conferred. It is a public document with evidential force before authorities, banks and third parties.