Agent definition (noun)

1. An agent is a person authorized to represent someone else (often called the principal or the client). Some common examples of agents include lawyers, real estate agents, and someone with power of attorney.

   Before an agent can legally act for someone else, the principal and agent typically need to sign an agreement describing what actions the agent is allowed to take on the principal’s behalf.

   The word agent does not mean “someone who acts as an agent” but rather “a person who represents another”. It is usually used in the sense of a lawyer acting on behalf of his/her client. So if you are working under a power of attorney, it means that you have delegated some authority to another individual so that they can perform certain tasks on your behalf.

   For example, you may give someone the power to sign checks over to you at any time without having to be reminded. This is often referred to as “giving them legal guardianship.” In this case, the person giving the power of attorney would be the agent.