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. This is very common among executives of corporations especially those in the higher ups, who need to take care of business in all parts of the globe. If they cannot make it to one area, they usually send a representative with a power of attorney to sign their documents for them. In corporations, the grantee or the proxy (the one given the power of attorney) is often an attorney to keep things legal but in truth, anybody can be given a power of attorney, even those who are not lawyers. Who will be at hand to take care of our business dealings and other personal issues? Can power of attorney fix things? 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. You have to decide one or more of the following tasks that your attorney-in-fact will carry out on your behalf from time to time: manage your properties preparing and filing income tax returns making decisions regarding health care do transactions at the bank and pay your bills handle your retirement and insurance benefits collect your social security benefits handle your legal claims You have two options when deciding how much authority you are going to allow to your agent. Essential Information about Durable Power of Attorney A durable power of attorney is a practical option for an elderly who wants to plan how his or her properties, business, and other affairs will be managed when time comes he or she is mentally unable to do so. It is especially useful for people who are suffering from a debilitating health condition such as Alzheimer s disease or are going to stay in a nursing home. Your agent or attorney-in-fact could be of any profession, not necessarily a lawyer. There are many things you should understand about power of attorney. First, execution of the power you bestowed does not mean you no longer have to make the decisions. Take note that the power of attorney just mandates your agent to act for you.