Powers of attorney fall into the following categories:
- general powers of attorney (POA) - this provides legal permission to someone else (known as the 'attorney') to make decisions and sign documents on someone else's behalf. For further information, read General power of attorney.
- lasting powers of attorney (LPA) - this allows someone to appoint an attorney to deal with their property and financial affairs and/or make health and welfare decisions on their behalf, if they lose their mental capacity. For further information, read Lasting power of attorney.