Power of attorney (Vollmacht)

A power of attorney allows an individual or a legal entity to act on another persons behalf. The principle (Vollmachtgeber) may grant the attorney-in-fact (Bevollmächtigter) a limited power of attorney for specific purposes or a general power of attorney (Generalvollmacht). If the power of attorney is granted in order to avoid the appointment of a guardian and remains to be effective in case of incapacity of such person, it is called a durable or lasting power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht). In many cases, the power of attorney continues to be effective after the death of the principle (trans-mortem power of attorney).