The main difference between a power of attorney and an executor is that a power of attorney is responsible for representing the wishes of the individual who granted the power of attorney, whereas an executor is responsible for carrying out the will of the deceased.A power of attorney can be used while the individual is still alive (known as a living power of attorney) or after they have passed away (a deceased power of attorney). An executor, on the other hand, can only be appointed by a will and can only take over once the individual has died.A power of attorney is someone who makes decisions on behalf of another person, whereas an executor is someone who carries out the wishes of the deceased.