<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may be too technical for most readers to understand . Please help improve it to make it understandable to non-experts, without removing the technical details . The talk page may contain suggestions . (January 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may be too technical for most readers to understand . Please help improve it to make it understandable to non-experts, without removing the technical details . The talk page may contain suggestions . (January 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter . The person authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power). The one authorized to act is the agent or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney - in - fact . </P> <P> Formerly, the term "power" referred to an instrument signed under seal while a "letter" was an instrument under hand, meaning that it was simply signed by the parties, but today a power of attorney need not be signed under seal . Some jurisdictions require that powers of attorney be notarized or witnessed, but others will enforce a power of attorney as long as it is signed by the grantor . </P>

Who is the donor in power of attorney