Attorney in Fact

One who is authorized by another to perform certain acts for another under a power of attorney; power of attorney may be limited to a specific act or acts or be general. In real estate, an attorney in fact is a person authorized to act on someone else’s behalf in property-related matters through a legal document called a power of attorney. This person may be allowed to sign contracts, deeds, loan documents, or other paperwork for the property owner, depending on the specific powers granted in the power of attorney. An attorney in fact does not have to be a licensed attorney, but they have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the person who appointed them, and their authority may be limited to certain transactions or may be broad enough to handle multiple real estate decisions.