Power of Attorney: A Practical Guide for Owners and NRIs
General vs special POA, the powers you should and shouldn't delegate, and how execution works from abroad.
A power of attorney lets someone act on your behalf. Used well, it is invaluable — particularly for NRIs and owners who cannot be physically present. Used carelessly, it can expose you to serious risk.
General vs special POA
A general power of attorney grants broad authority across many matters; a special power of attorney is limited to a specific task, such as executing one particular sale deed. For most property transactions, a tightly-scoped special POA is safer.
Powers to define carefully
- Exactly which acts are authorised
- The specific property or matter it applies to
- Whether it includes the power to sell or only to manage
- Its validity period and revocation terms
Never grant an unrestricted power to sell unless you fully intend and trust it. Over-broad delegation is the single most common source of POA misuse.
Executing from abroad
NRIs can execute a POA before the Indian consulate or have it notarised and apostilled locally, then adjudicated on arrival in India. We advise on the correct route for your country and handle the Indian-side formalities.
Satish H. Pujara
Advocate & Notary · Ahmedabad
Need advice on your specific matter? A short, confidential consultation can save you time, money and worry.