power of attorney
(POW-er ... uh-TER-nee)
A legal document that gives one person (such as a spouse, relative, friend, or lawyer) the authority to make legal, medical, or financial decisions for another person. A standard power of attorney may go into effect right away but becomes invalid when the person who grants it is no longer able to make decisions for themself, dies, or cancels it. It may also need to be renewed over time.