Power of attorney
Updated 2026-09-29
A power of attorney is a legal document that authorises another person, called the attorney, to act on your behalf, such as signing documents, giving instructions, or managing a legal matter while you are unavailable or unable to act yourself.
In a scam recovery case, this can be useful when a victim lives far from where the case is filed, is elderly, or is otherwise unable to attend to every step personally. A lawyer can act on instructions without a power of attorney for most routine matters, but some steps require formal written authority.
The scope of a power of attorney should be specific to what is actually needed, since a very broad one gives wide authority over the grantor’s affairs.
When it matters
Family members helping an elderly or unwell relative pursue a scam claim often need to understand whether a power of attorney, rather than informal help, is the right tool.
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