Powers of attorney

Sometimes another person will need to act on your behalf – to sign a certain agreement, for instance. A power of attorney is used to give that person the required authority. You can, of course, put something down on paper yourself, but a power of attorney drawn up by a civil-law notary increases legal certainty.

The civil-law notary will discuss your wishes with you and help you to document them. Before signing the deed, the notary will verify your identity to make sure the right person is granting power of attorney and will establish that you are mentally capable of deciding for yourself.

What does it say in a power of attorney?
You can use a power of attorney to arrange the following:

• The acts the attorney-in-fact (that is the person to whom you are granting power of attorney) is permitted or not permitted to carry out;
• Whether the attorney can act alone or should work with another attorney;
• Whether the attorney will need to explain and justify the action they take and if so, to whom;
• Whether the attorney is also authorised to make agreements with himself/herself.

General or special power of attorney?
There are two types of power of attorney: general and special. General power of attorney gives the attorney the right to act on your behalf at any time he or she deems it necessary. That means the attorney can use your bank accounts, give gifts, take out loans, sell your house… So, you should give general power of attorney only to someone you fully trust.

Special power of attorney is given for a specific act or purpose. One example might be the selling of your house.

Make an appointment at our offices in Nuenen or Eindhoven and we will be happy to explain this in more detail, draw up your power of attorney and get it signed.