Bevollmächtigen

Bevollmächtigen is the act of authorizing someone to act on one’s behalf in legal transactions or other acts. The person granting the authority is the Vollmachtgeber; the recipient is the Bevollmächtigter. The instrument is the Vollmacht (power of attorney), which creates a representation relationship defined by scope and duration.

In German law, Vollmacht can be general or specific. Generalvollmacht authorizes the Bevollmächtigter to handle most matters; Spezialvollmacht limits the authority to particular transactions or areas. In commercial contexts, a Prokura is a special form of power of attorney for merchants; it must be granted in writing and recorded in the commercial register, and it may be unrestricted or subject to restrictions.

The scope, limits, and duration depend on the grant. A Vollmacht can be time-limited and is revocable at any time by the principal; third parties may rely on it until they are notified of revocation. The Bevollmächtigter is authorized to act in the defined matters; liability can arise if acts exceed the granted authority or breach duties.

Bevollmächtigen is common in daily life (authorizing someone to collect documents, manage a bank account, or make decisions) and in health and finances through Vorsorgevollmacht. A Vorsorgevollmacht concerns future incapacity; a Betreuer is a court-appointed guardian.