What legal document allows an individual to appoint someone else to make decisions on their behalf?

The durable power of attorney is a legal document that grants an individual the authority to designate another person to make decisions on their behalf, particularly concerning financial and legal matters. This designation remains effective even if the individual becomes incapacitated, making it a vital tool for ensuring that personal affairs can continue to be managed according to the individual's wishes. The appointed person, often referred to as the agent or attorney-in-fact, can act in the best interest of the individual in various situations, such as managing assets, signing documents, or making legal decisions.

Other legal documents listed serve different purposes. A living will typically outlines an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment in scenarios where they cannot communicate their preferences. A healthcare proxy, while also related to medical decision-making, specifically allows someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person when they are unable to do so. An advance healthcare directive may encompass both a living will and a healthcare proxy, outlining preferences for medical treatment and designating an individual to make those decisions, but it does not carry the same broader authority as a durable power of attorney in other domains like financial management.