What type of power of attorney grants broad powers to an agent to act on the principal's behalf?

A general power of attorney grants broad powers to an agent, allowing them to act on behalf of the principal in a wide range of matters. This type of power of attorney is not limited to specific transactions or activities; rather, it encompasses various areas such as managing financial affairs, handling real estate transactions, and making legal decisions. The agent has a comprehensive authority to perform any acts that the principal could legally do themselves, providing significant flexibility and control in the agent's ability to represent the principal's interests. This type of arrangement is useful in situations where the principal may be unavailable to manage their affairs or wants someone else to handle multiple aspects of their life or business activities.

In contrast, other forms of power of attorney, such as a special or limited power of attorney, restrict the agent's authority to specific tasks or decisions, thus lacking the broad scope found in a general power of attorney. A non-exclusive power of attorney, while also not widely recognized as a standard category, implies that multiple agents could be appointed, but does not inherently grant the broad authority characteristic of a general power of attorney.