Legal Definitions - general authority

General authority refers to the broad power or right granted to an individual or entity to act on behalf of another, or to make decisions within a wide scope, without needing specific permission for every single action. It implies a comprehensive mandate rather than a limited, task-specific one.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Company CEO

  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a major corporation typically holds general authority to manage the company's day-to-day operations, make strategic business decisions, and enter into contracts on behalf of the organization. While they report to a board of directors, the CEO does not need to seek specific approval for every minor expenditure, hiring decision, or marketing campaign. Their role grants them broad discretion to run the company within the established strategic framework.

  This illustrates general authority because the CEO's power is not confined to a single task but extends across the entire spectrum of the company's business activities, allowing them to make a wide range of decisions independently.

• Example 2: A Parent of a Minor Child

  A parent generally has broad authority over their minor child's upbringing and welfare. This includes making decisions about their education, medical care, religious instruction, and daily activities. Unless there's a specific court order or legal restriction, a parent does not need to seek permission from an external body for each individual choice they make regarding their child's life.

  This demonstrates general authority as the parent's power encompasses a wide array of decisions concerning their child's life, reflecting a comprehensive right to act in the child's best interest without constant external oversight.

• Example 3: An Appointed Executor of an Estate

  When an individual is legally appointed as the executor of a deceased person's will, they are granted general authority to administer the estate. This involves collecting assets, paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to the beneficiaries according to the will's instructions. The executor has broad power to manage these affairs without needing specific court approval for every single transaction, provided they act responsibly and within legal boundaries.

  This highlights general authority because the executor's mandate covers all necessary actions to settle the estate, rather than being limited to specific, pre-approved tasks, giving them comprehensive control over the estate's administration.