A Power of Attorney is an instrument which authorizes one person to act as another’s agent or attorney-in-fact.  The attorney-in-fact need not actually be a licensed attorney.  The Power of Attorney may be for a performance of a specific, definite act or duty, or it may be general in nature.  It may be for a specific time period or for an indefinite time period.  It may be revocable.  If not revoked, it usually expires when the person granting the Power of Attorney dies.  A Power of Attorney may grant the attorney-in-fact authority to convey or mortgage real estate.  If this is so in a given state, the Power of Attorney must be written, signed, and otherwise executed similar to a deed.  The Power of Attorney should be recorded in order to put others on notice as to the powers of the attorney-in-fact.  (Please see specific state for details and/or differences.)