What is a legal instrument that confers the right of one individual to act on behalf of another?

A legal instrument that confers the right of one individual to act on behalf of another is known as a Power of Attorney. This document grants a specified individual, called the attorney-in-fact or agent, the authority to make decisions and take actions on behalf of another person, particularly in legal and financial matters. The person granting this authority is referred to as the principal.

The validity of a Power of Attorney allows for a wide range of actions, such as managing financial accounts, signing documents, and making healthcare decisions, depending on the scope defined within the document. This makes it a crucial tool for individuals who may be unable to manage their affairs due to health issues or when they are otherwise unavailable to act.

The other options, while important legal instruments, do not confer the same type of authority. A Living Will pertains to healthcare preferences but does not designate someone to act on another's behalf. An Advance Directive is a broader term that includes documents like Living Wills and Powers of Attorney focused on health care, but again does not itself designate authority. A Trust Deed is related to property and finance but involves the management of property rather than granting authority to act on someone’s behalf. Therefore, the Power of Attorney is the correct choice as it specifically