SPONSORED - Brown and Crouppen Law Firm breaks down the importance of a Power of Attorney. Learn how this essential legal ...

shapecharge / Getty Images A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants another person, called an agent or attorney-in-fact, the authority to make decisions on your behalf.

People may also refer to it as a durable power of attorney for healthcare. On a proxy, a person names someone they trust to act on their behalf in the event of a serious injury or illness.