A. A power of attorney gives you the ability to name a person you trust to handle your affairs for you in case your circumstances make it impossible for you to handle those matters yourself - such as an accident, sudden illness, absence or a loss of capacity. The person you appoint to act for you will have the authority to do things, sign documents, conduct business affairs or make health care decisions in your name and on your behalf, in the same manner that you would do if you were able.
In this context, the word "attorney" does not mean a lawyer - it means the person named in the power of attorney form, who is also referred to in some jurisdictions as the agent or attorney-in-fact.
A. Your attorney has a fiduciary duty to you and is required by law to always act truthfully, in good faith, and in accordance with your wishes, so far as that is possible, whenever he or she is representing you. You should always appoint someone you trust, like a family member or close friend. Alternatively, you can also appoint a professional advisor such as a lawyer to act for you.
A. It's entirely up to you whether you want to pay the person you appoint, however, if you name a professional advisor as your attorney they will charge you a fee.
By its very nature, a power of attorney is necessarily a public document. If you are paying your attorney and you include the terms of that compensation in your power of attorney, the information would be public. It should therefore be set out in a separate document, which would not have to be disclosed except in the case of a judicial or regulatory review, or similar circumstances.