Understanding Power of Attorney: Types and Sample Document

Power of Attorney

In today's fast-paced world, our activities and engagements have increased significantly. As individuals become busier, the need to rely on others for assistance has grown. Consequently, the importance of a Power of Attorney has become increasingly apparent.

Definition

A Power of Attorney is a legal instrument that authorizes a specified person to act on behalf of another person, known as the principal.

Types of Power of Attorney

There are several types of Power of Attorney:

• General Power of Attorney

  A General Power of Attorney grants the agent broad authority to perform various acts or exercise all powers that the principal could exercise regarding specific property or matters.

• Special Power of Attorney

  A Special Power of Attorney appoints an agent to perform a specific act or a limited set of actions.

• Irrevocable Power of Attorney

  An Irrevocable Power of Attorney cannot be revoked by the principal.

• Durable Power of Attorney

  A Durable Power of Attorney remains in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated.

Sample General Power of Attorney

BY THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY, I, Noor Ahmad, son of Sami Ullah, caste Dogar, residing at P-265, Sector F, New Garden Valley, Islamabad, appoint Parveez Ali, son of Waqas Ali, caste Jutt, residing at House No. 25, Block A, Ameen Pur Colony, Islamabad, as my attorney to act in my name and on my behalf to execute any of the following acts:

1. Appear and act in all courts (Civil, Revenue, or Criminal), Registration Offices, and any other government office, District Board, Municipal Board, Notified Area, or local authority.
2. Sign and verify plaints, written statements, petitions, claims, objections, memoranda of appeal, and applications of all kinds, and file them in any court or office.
3. Appoint any advocate, Vakil, Pleader, Mukhtar, agent, or other legal practitioner.
4. Compromise, compound, or withdraw cases; confess judgments; and refer cases to arbitration.
5. File and receive documents; deposit and withdraw money; and grant receipts.
6. Obtain refunds of stamp duty or court fees.
7. Purchase property at court auction sales in execution of my decree up to the decree amount.
8. Take possession of property in execution of my decrees or property purchased for me at auction.
9. Realize debts owed to me; collect rents from my tenants; receive money due to me; and grant receipts and discharges.
10. Distrain the crops of my tenants for rent arrears.
11. Grant leases of my house, land (agricultural or non-agricultural).
12. File suits for rent and tenant ejectment, and, with my express instructions, other types of suits.
13. Apply to courts and offices for copies of documents and papers.
14. Apply for and inspect judicial records.
15. Nominate and consent to village officer appointments (Lambardar or Choukidar).
16. Accept service of summons, notices, or writs issued by any court or office against me.

I, Noor Ahmad, son of Sami Ullah, agree that all acts performed by my attorney, Parveez Ali, son of Waqas Ali, on my behalf shall be considered my own acts. This Power of Attorney ratifies and confirms all lawful acts performed by my attorney under the authority granted herein.

Signed by me, Noor Ahmad, in the presence of witnesses on March 18, 2010.

Principal Name and Signature
Agent Name and Signature
Witness No. 1 Name and Signature
Witness No. 2 Name and Signature