Power of attorney are essential for legal transactions and representation in the United Arab Emirates. People and businesses frequently grant trusted individuals powers of attorney so they can act on their behalf. There are several kinds of power of attorney, and each has unique restrictions and uses. The many forms of power of attorney in the United Arab Emirates and their importance will be covered in this article.

General Power of Attorney

• Grants the agent the authority to handle any situation on behalf of the principal, including financial, legal, personal, and corporate problems. 
• It is frequently employed when the principal is unable to handle personal or professional matters.
• A General Power of Attorney grants the designated agent the ability to perform the following:

1. Manage real estate
2. Act on behalf of the principal before government agencies
3. Incorporate businesses
4. Sign contracts
5. Buy cars
6. Take care of legal affairs

• It’s crucial to understand that a General POA’s broad powers include a greater risk of possible abuse or exploitation.

Limited Power of Attorney

• Authorizes the agent to carry out a specific duty on behalf of the principal and is created with specific goals in mind.
  
• Grants the attorney a precise, restricted authority for a predetermined amount of time or use. 
• For example, a business owner may designate a limited power of attorney for a trustworthy employee to sign contracts relevant to a specific project.
• It is frequently employed when the principal needs assistance with transactions like the following: 

1. Purchasing or disposing of real estate
2. Running a business
3. Opening corporate bank accounts
4. Executing contracts

• As opposed to a general power of attorney, it is more limited in its use, allowing the agent to act solely on the specified assignment or activity.

The following are the types of Limited power of attorney:

Company Power of Attorney

• Allows the agent to file the required applications to start a company.
• Sign and turn in documentation, such as the new company’s articles of association and memorandum.
• Attend the appropriate registration entity, such as a free zone authority or the Department of Economic Development.
• Act as a representative in front of banks, government agencies, and other parties.
• Act as a representative in front of DEWA, Etisalat, and other utility service providers.
• Obtain the new trade license.

Power of Attorney for Real Estate

• Designates a person to serve as your authorized agent when it comes to real estate-related problems. 
• Gives the designated agent the power to carry out a number of duties on your behalf, including the following:

1. Managing leases
2. Buying and selling real estate
3. Signing contracts 
4. Signing other legal documents

Property Dispute Power of Attorney

• Authorizes the agent the power to address any property dispute.
• Act as the owner’s representative in interactions with the following:

1. Dubai Land Department
2. RERA
3. Other governmental agencies 
4. Master developers
5. Developers
6. Utility companies

• Select solicitors to act as the owner’s legal representatives in court.

Court Case Power of Attorney

• Authorizes the agent to settle the disagreement and select attorneys to act as the owner’s legal representatives in court.

Power of Attorney for Vehicle

• Designates someone to handle a variety of vehicle-related transactions on your behalf. 
• Used to give someone else the power to carry out operations including the following:

1. Buying and selling a car
2. Registering a car
3. Renewing and maintaining a car
4. Getting a license plate
5. Exporting a car

Power of Attorney for Inheritance

• Designates an heir to assign a Power of Attorney for Inheritance to another person or people, or a law firm.
• To represent the heirs of a deceased individual before the appropriate authorities in the United Arab Emirates, including the courts, for the purpose of initiating and completing the probate process. 
• It permits the acquisition of a Distribution Order and Succession Certificate.

Power of Attorney for Marriage

• Permits someone else to act as the proxy of the bride’s father (or legal guardian) and grant permission for marriage at the UAE family court throughout the marriage registration process. 
• Designates another man who shares the religion of the bride’s father or legal guardian and is at least 21 years old to attend the court in person.
• Guarantees that a named proxy may act on behalf of the father or the legal guardian (who is not present) and facilitate the required consent and paperwork during the marriage registration process.

Durable Power of Attorney

• Enforceable in the event that the principal loses mental capacity or becomes incapacitated. 
• Frequently employed when long-term financial management or decision-making is necessary. 
• Highly necessary for people who wish to make sure that their affairs are handled in the case of unanticipated events.

Medical Power of Attorney

• Gives the attorney the power to make healthcare choices on the principal’s behalf. 
• Decisions on medical care, surgery, and end-of-life care may fall under this category. 
• Essential for those who wish to name a reliable person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, it is critical that you carefully consider the intent behind the power of attorney and select the form that will best fulfil your objective. The power of attorney should be written in a way that government agencies and other parties will accept it at the right point in time. Any mistake in the writing process can lead to unpleasant incidents, as well as a loss of money and time in the process of creating and notarizing the power of attorney.