You can just send a representative with the power of attorney and that person can sign the contract for you. But for all its benefits, the power of attorney can also be a bane when not done the right way and when put into the wrong hands. What is a power of attorney? Before we can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a power of attorney, you must first understand that exactly is the concept. The lack of an appointed person to take care of the legal matters when one is dying often becomes a problem because no one anticipates this happening. And who can blame them? Nobody would want to go morbid and prepare for something like dying from an illness. Death is easier because the will (as in the last will and testament) will take care of the legal matters post-mortem but dying is another thing altogether. Because it can have legal consequences, the transfer of power or the authorizing is written as a legal contract, which is shown to people before the attorney-in-fact can proceed with his dealings on behalf of the client or the principal. Often, when the attorney-in-fact is being paid, a separate contract is drafted for the payment and is not shown to other people. Before it is too late, you have to designate a trusted person to act and make decisions on your behalf. Should you wait until you become mentally or physically disabled and regret later for not doing it earlier? If you want to protect your assets and secure your financial future, then preparing a POA is one of the best decisions that you will ever make in your life. Your document also has to be tailored to your particular needs and wishes so that you have nothing to worry about in the future. To put it simply, this legal term is a medium for granting an individual the right to make medical, financial, and other decisions on your behalf. Easy to understand, isn t it? Legal requirements A person must meet certain requirements according to the laws in your state. One of the requirements in most states is that an agent should be of sound mind to be able to make the right decisions when it comes to the finances, properties, or health of his or her principal. Creating a power of attorney gives you an assurance that nothing will go wrong with your assets and finances and that your wishes will be carried out just as you planned.