Not infrequently when a client is to go abroad on business or on holiday at a critical time in, for example a house purchase, written authority can be made in favour of a third party (possibly a spouse or a joint purchaser) authorising that person to deal with aspects of the transaction during the absence abroad.
 
Such a Power of Attorney normally lapses on the return of the person from abroad and/or the completion of the actual transaction specifically designated to be covered by the Power.