Written legal authority given by one party (the principal) to another (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on the principal's behalf. It may be a (1) General power Of attorney that authorizes the agent to act generally on behalf of the principal, or (2) Special power of attorney that is limited to a specific act or situation. Decisions made and actions taken by an attorney in fact (within the scope of his or her authority) are legally binding on the principal. A power of attorney can remain in force only so long as the principal is alive and does not become disabled or incapacitated. Although it is often conferred on the principal's attorney, one does not need to be an attorney at law to be an attorney-in-fact.