In the event you require another individual to make decisions or sign on your behalf, a Power of Attorney grants that individual the authority to act on your behalf in accordance with the terms of the document.  Special Power of Attorneys are executed for specific tasks or abilities.

One may issue another a Special Power of Attorney to just pay their bills on their behalf or a Medical Power of Attorney may be considered a Special Power of Attorney.  On the other hand, General Power of Attorneys grant the agent unlimited authority to sign and/or act on your behalf.  Power of Attorneys may terminate at a specified date or will terminate upon your death, whichever happens first.