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What is meant by 'joint' or 'joint and independent' attorneys?

On occasions, a donor may decide to appoint two attorneys. If this decision is made, the donor will have to decide if the two attorneys will be either 'joint' attorneys or 'joint and independent' attorneys. Joint attorneys are required to act together, meaning they have to reach joint agreement before an action can take place. If one of them is absent, an action cannot take place. However, joint and independent attorneys may act together or on their own. In other words, either of them can act without the need to consult the other.