17 HB 221/AP H. B. 221 - 1 - House Bill 221 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Efstration of the 104 th , Willard of the 51 st , England of the 116 th , Cooper of the 43 rd , Morris of the 156 th , and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and 1 trade, so as to enact the "Uniform Power of Attorney Act"; to repeal provisions relating to 2 a financial power of attorney; to provide for a short title and definitions; to provide for 3 applicability, validity, meaning, effect, and termination of a power of attorney; to provide for 4 an agent, coagent, and successor agent, their duties, responsibilities, liability, authority, and 5 compensation; to provide for general and specific authority that a principal may give an agent 6 in a power of attorney; to provide for forms; to amend Title 16 of the Official Code of 7 Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, so as to provide for cross-references; to 8 provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and 9 for other purposes. 10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: 11 PART I 12 SECTION 1-1. 13 Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, is 14 amended by repealing Article 7 of Chapter 6, relating to financial power of attorney, and 15 designating it as reserved. 16 PART II 17 SECTION 2-1. 18 Said title is further amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows: 19
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17 HB 221/AP
H. B. 221- 1 -
House Bill 221 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Willard of the 51st, England of the 116th, Cooper
of the 43rd, Morris of the 156th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and1
trade, so as to enact the "Uniform Power of Attorney Act"; to repeal provisions relating to2
a financial power of attorney; to provide for a short title and definitions; to provide for3
applicability, validity, meaning, effect, and termination of a power of attorney; to provide for4
an agent, coagent, and successor agent, their duties, responsibilities, liability, authority, and5
compensation; to provide for general and specific authority that a principal may give an agent6
in a power of attorney; to provide for forms; to amend Title 16 of the Official Code of7
Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, so as to provide for cross-references; to8
provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and9
for other purposes.10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:11
PART I12
SECTION 1-1.13
Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, is14
amended by repealing Article 7 of Chapter 6, relating to financial power of attorney, and15
designating it as reserved.16
PART II17
SECTION 2-1.18
Said title is further amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows:19
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"CHAPTER 6B20
ARTICLE 121
10-6B-1.22
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Uniform Power of Attorney Act.'23
10-6B-2.24
As used in this chapter, the term:25
(1) 'Agent' means a person granted authority to act in the place of an individual, whether26
denominated by such term, attorney-in-fact, or otherwise. Such term shall include a27
coagent, successor agent, and a person to which authority is delegated.28
(2) 'Durable' means not terminated by the principal's incapacity.29
(3) 'Electronic' means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic,30
wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.31
(4) 'Good faith' means honesty in fact.32
(5) 'Incapacity' means inability of an individual to manage property or business affairs33
because the individual:34
(A) Has an impairment in the ability to receive and evaluate information or make or35
communicate decisions even with the use of technological assistance; or36
(B) Is:37
(i) Missing;38
(ii) Detained, including incarcerated in a penal system; or39
(iii) Outside the United States and unable to return.40
(6) 'Person' means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership,41
limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or42
governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial43
entity.44
(7) 'Power of attorney' means a writing or other record that grants authority to a person45
to act in the place of an individual, whether or not such term is used.46
(8) 'Presently exercisable general power of appointment,' with respect to property or a47
property interest subject to a power of appointment, means power exercisable at the time48
in question to vest absolute ownership in the principal individually, the principal's estate,49
the principal's creditors, or the creditors of the principal's estate. Such term shall include50
a power of appointment not exercisable until the occurrence of a specified event, the51
satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified period only after52
the occurrence of the specified event, the satisfaction of the ascertainable standard, or the53
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passage of the specified period. Such term shall not include a power exercisable in a54
fiduciary capacity or only by will.55
(9) 'Principal' means an individual who grants authority to a person to act in the place of56
such individual.57
(10) 'Property' means anything that may be the subject of ownership, whether real or58
personal, or legal or equitable, or any interest or right therein.59
(11) 'Record' means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored60
in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.61
(12) 'Sign' means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, to execute or62
adopt a tangible symbol.63
(13) 'State' means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the64
United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the65
jurisdiction of the United States.66
(14) 'Stocks and bonds' means stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and all other types of67
securities and financial instruments, whether held directly, indirectly, or in any other68
manner. Such term shall not include commodity futures contracts and call or put options69
on stocks or stock indexes.70
10-6B-3.71
(a) This chapter shall apply to all powers of attorney except:72
(1) A power to the extent it is coupled with an interest in the subject of the power,73
including a power given to or for the benefit of a creditor in connection with a credit74
transaction;75
(2) A power to make health care decisions;76
(3) A proxy or other delegation to exercise voting rights or management rights with77
respect to an entity;78
(4) A power created on a form prescribed by a government or governmental subdivision,79
agency, or instrumentality for a governmental purpose;80
(5) Transaction specific powers of attorney, including, but not limited to, powers of81
attorney under Chapter 6 of this title; and82
(6) Powers of attorney provided for under Titles 19 and 33.83
(b) A power of attorney shall not authorize an agent to create a will.84
10-6B-4.85
A power of attorney created under this chapter shall be durable unless it expressly provides86
that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal.87
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10-6B-5.88
(a) A power of attorney shall be:89
(1) Signed by the principal or by another individual in such principal's presence at the90
principal's express direction;91
(2) Attested in the presence of the principal by one or more competent witnesses; and92
(3) Attested in the presence of the principal before a notary public or other individual93
authorized by law to administer oaths who is not a witness for purposes of paragraph (2)94
of this Code section.95
(b) All signatures and attestations required by subsection (a) of this Code section shall be96
performed and conducted in the presence of all parties provided for in subsection (a) of this97
Code section.98
10-6B-6.99
(a) A power of attorney executed in this state on or after July 1, 2017, shall be valid if its100
execution complies with Code Section 10-6B-5.101
(b) This chapter shall not affect a power of attorney executed prior to July 1, 2017, to102
which the former provisions of Article 7 of Chapter 6 of this title, as such existed on June103
30, 2017, shall continue to apply.104
(c) A power of attorney executed other than in this state shall be valid in this state if, when105
the power of attorney was executed, the execution complied with:106
(1) The law of the jurisdiction that determines the meaning and effect of the power of107
attorney pursuant to Code Section 10-6B-7; or108
(2) The requirements for a military power of attorney pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section109
1044b, in effect on February 1, 2017.110
(d) Except as otherwise provided by law other than this chapter, a photocopy or111
electronically transmitted copy of an original power of attorney shall have the same effect112
as the original; provided, however, that when recording a power of attorney in connection113
with a conveyance involving real property, an original power of attorney shall be used.114
10-6B-7.115
The meaning and effect of a power of attorney shall be determined by the law of the116
jurisdiction indicated in the power of attorney and, in the absence of an indication of117
jurisdiction, by the law of the jurisdiction in which the power of attorney was executed.118
10-6B-8.119
(a) In a power of attorney, a principal may nominate a conservator of the principal's estate120
for consideration by the court if protective proceedings for the principal's estate are begun121
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after the principal executes the power of attorney. Except for good cause shown or122
disqualification, the court shall make its appointment in accordance with the principal's123
most recent nomination.124
(b) Unless expressly provided otherwise by the power of attorney or ordered otherwise by125
the court appointing the conservator, if, after a principal executes a power of attorney, a126
court appoints a conservator of the principal's estate or other fiduciary charged with the127
management of some or all of the principal's property, then the appointment of a128
conservator or other fiduciary shall terminate all or part of the power of attorney that relates129
to the matters within the scope of the conservatorship or management by another fiduciary.130
If such power of attorney does not wholly terminate, the agent shall be accountable to the131
conservator or other fiduciary as well as to the principal.132
(c) If the court orders the power of attorney shall not terminate, the court may impose upon133
the power of attorney or agent such terms and conditions as it determines are in the best134
interest of the principal.135
10-6B-9.136
(a) A power of attorney shall be effective when executed unless the principal provides in137
the power of attorney that it becomes effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of138
a future event or contingency.139
(b) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a future event or140
contingency, the principal, in the power of attorney, may authorize one or more persons to141
determine in a writing or other record that the event or contingency has occurred.142
(c) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the principal's incapacity and the143
principal has not authorized a person to determine whether the principal is incapacitated,144
or the person authorized is unable or unwilling to make the determination, the power of145
attorney shall become effective upon a certification in a writing or other record by:146
(1) A physician or licensed psychologist determining that the principal has an147
impairment in the ability to receive and evaluate information or make or communicate148
decisions even with the use of technological assistance; or149
(2) An attorney at law, a judge, or an appropriate governmental official determining that150
the principal is missing, detained, including incarcerated in a penal system, or is outside151
the United States and unable to return.152
(d) A person authorized by the principal in the power of attorney to determine that the153
principal is incapacitated may act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the154
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Sections 1171 through 1179 of the155
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1320d, in effect on February 1, 2017, and applicable156
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regulations in effect on February 1, 2017, to obtain access to the principal's health care157
information and communicate with the principal's health care provider.158
10-6B-10.159
(a) A power of attorney shall terminate when:160
(1) The principal dies;161
(2) The principal becomes incapacitated, if the power of attorney specifically provides162
that it is not durable;163
(3) The principal revokes the power of attorney, provided that the principal provides the164
agent with notice of such revocation by certified mail and provided that such notice is165
filed with the clerk of superior court in the county of domicile of the principal;166
(4) The agent resigns, becomes incapacitated, or dies;167
(5) The power of attorney provides that it terminates;168
(6) The purpose of the power of attorney is accomplished; or169
(7) One of the events specified in paragraph (3) or (4) of this subsection occurs and the170
power of attorney does not provide for another agent to act under the power of attorney.171
(b) An agent's authority shall terminate when:172
(1) The agent resigns, becomes incapacitated, or dies;173
(2) The principal revokes the agent's authority, provided that the principal provides the174
agent with notice of such revocation by certified mail and provided that such notice is175
filed with the clerk of superior court in the county of domicile of the principal;176
(3) An action is filed for the dissolution or annulment of the agent's marriage to the177
principal or their legal separation, unless the power of attorney otherwise provides; or178
(4) The power of attorney terminates.179
(c) Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent's authority is exercisable180
until the authority terminates under subsection (b) of this Code section, notwithstanding181
a lapse of time since the execution of the power of attorney.182
(d) Termination of an agent's authority or of a power of attorney shall not be effective as183
to the agent or another person that, without actual knowledge of the termination, acts in184
good faith under the power of attorney. An act so performed, unless otherwise invalid or185
unenforceable, shall bind the principal and the principal's successors in interest.186
(e) Incapacity of the principal of a power of attorney that is not durable shall not revoke187
or terminate the power of attorney as to an agent or other person that, without actual188
knowledge of the incapacity, acts in good faith under the power of attorney. An act so189
performed, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, shall bind the principal and the190
principal's successors in interest.191
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(f) The execution of a power of attorney shall not revoke a power of attorney previously192
executed by the principal unless the subsequent power of attorney provides that the193
previous power of attorney shall be revoked or that all other powers of attorney are194
revoked.195
10-6B-11.196
(a) A principal may designate two or more persons to act as coagents. Unless the power197
of attorney otherwise provides, coagents shall exercise their authority independently.198
(b)(1) A principal may designate one or more successor agents to act if an agent resigns,199
dies, becomes incapacitated, is no longer qualified to serve, has declined to serve, or dies.200
A principal may grant authority to designate one or more successor agents to an agent or201
other person designated by name, office, or function. Unless the power of attorney202
otherwise provides, a successor agent shall:203
(A) Have the same authority as that granted to the original agent; and204
(B) Not act until all predecessor agents have resigned, become incapacitated, are no205
longer qualified to serve, have declined to serve, or died.206
(2) Once a predecessor agent resigns, becomes incapacitated, is no longer qualified to207
serve, or has declined to serve, he or she shall be permanently barred from serving as an208
agent under the then existing power of attorney.209
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney and subsection (d) of this Code210
section, an agent that does not participate in or conceal a breach of fiduciary duty211
committed by another agent, including a predecessor agent, shall not be liable for the212
actions of the other agent.213
(d) An agent that has actual knowledge of a breach or imminent breach of fiduciary duty214
by another agent shall notify the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated, take any215
action reasonably appropriate in the circumstances to safeguard the principal's best interest.216
An agent that fails to notify the principal or take action as required by this subsection shall217
be liable for the reasonably foreseeable damages that could have been avoided if the agent218
had notified the principal or taken such action.219
10-6B-12.220
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent shall not be entitled to221
compensation for services rendered. An agent shall be entitled to reasonable222
reimbursement of expenses incurred in performing the acts required by the principal under223
the power of attorney.224
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10-6B-13.225
Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, a person accepts appointment as an226
agent under a power of attorney by exercising authority or performing duties as an agent227
or by any other assertion or conduct indicating acceptance.228
10-6B-14.229
(a) Notwithstanding provisions in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted230
appointment shall act:231
(1) In accordance with the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually232
known by the agent and, otherwise, in the principal's best interest;233
(2) In good faith; and234
(3) Only within the scope of authority granted in the power of attorney.235
(b) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted236
appointment shall:237
(1) Act loyally for the principal's benefit;238
(2) Act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent's ability to act239
impartially in the principal's best interest;240
(3) Act with the care, competence, and diligence ordinarily exercised by agents in similar241
circumstances;242
(4) Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions made on behalf of the243
principal;244
(5) Cooperate with a person that has authority to make health care decisions for the245
principal to carry out the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually known246
by the agent and, otherwise, act in the principal's best interest; and247
(6) Attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan, to the extent actually known by the248
agent, if preserving such plan is consistent with the principal's best interest based on all249
relevant factors, including:250
(A) The value and nature of the principal's property;251
(B) The principal's foreseeable obligations and need for maintenance;252
(C) Minimization of taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation-skipping253
transfer, and gift taxes; and254
(D) Eligibility for a benefit, a program, or assistance under a law or regulation.255
(c) An agent that acts in good faith shall not be liable to any beneficiary of the principal's256
estate plan for failure to preserve such plan.257
(d) An agent that acts with care, competence, and diligence for the best interest of the258
principal shall not be liable solely because the agent also benefits from the act or has an259
individual or conflicting interest in relation to the property or affairs of the principal.260
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(e) If an agent is selected by the principal because of special skills or expertise possessed261
by the agent or in reliance on the agent's representation that the agent has special skills or262
expertise, the special skills or expertise shall be considered in determining whether the263
agent has acted with care, competence, and diligence under the circumstances.264
(f) Absent a breach of duty to the principal, an agent shall not be liable if the value of the265
principal's property declines.266
(g) An agent that exercises authority to delegate to another person the authority granted267
by the principal or that engages another person on behalf of the principal shall not be liable268
for an act, error of judgment, or default of that person if the agent exercises care,269
competence, and diligence in selecting and monitoring the person.270
(h) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent shall not be required271
to disclose receipts, disbursements, or transactions conducted on behalf of the principal272
unless ordered by a court or requested by the principal, a guardian, a conservator, another273
fiduciary acting for the principal, a governmental agency having authority to protect the274
welfare of the principal, or, upon the death of the principal, by the personal representative275
or successor in interest of the principal's estate. If so requested, within 30 days the agent276
shall comply with the request or provide a writing or other record substantiating why277
additional time is needed and shall comply with the request within an additional 30 days.278
10-6B-15.279
A provision in a power of attorney relieving an agent of liability for breach of duty shall280
be binding on the principal and the principal's successors in interest except to the extent the281
provision:282
(1) Relieves the agent of liability for breach of duty committed in bad faith, or with283
reckless indifference to the purposes of the power of attorney or the best interest of the284
principal; or285
(2) Was inserted as a result of an abuse of a confidential or fiduciary relationship with286
the principal.287
10-6B-16.288
(a) The following persons may petition a court to construe a power of attorney or review289
the agent's conduct, and grant appropriate relief:290
(1) The principal or the agent;291
(2) A guardian, conservator, or other fiduciary acting for the principal;292
(3) A person authorized to make health care decisions for the principal;293
(4) The principal's spouse, parent, or descendant;294
(5) An individual who would qualify as a presumptive heir of the principal;295
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(6) A person named as a beneficiary to receive any property, benefit, or contractual right296
on the principal's death or as a beneficiary of a trust created by or for the principal that297
has a financial interest in the principal's estate;298
(7) A governmental agency having authority to protect the welfare of the principal;299
(8) The principal's caregiver or another person that demonstrates sufficient interest in the300
principal's welfare; and301
(9) A person asked to accept the power of attorney.302
(b) Upon motion by the principal, the court shall dismiss a petition filed under this Code303
section, unless the court finds that the principal lacks capacity to revoke the agent's304
authority or the power of attorney.305
10-6B-17.306
An agent that violates this chapter shall be liable to the principal or the principal's307
successors in interest for the amount required to:308
(1) Restore the value of the principal's property to what it would have been had the309
violation not occurred; and310
(2) Reimburse the principal or the principal's successors in interest for the attorney's fees311
and costs paid on the agent's behalf.312
10-6B-18.313
Unless the power of attorney provides a different method for an agent's resignation, an314
agent may resign by giving notice to the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated:315
(1) To the conservator or guardian, if one has been appointed for the principal, and a316
coagent or successor agent; or317
(2) If there is no person described in paragraph (1) of this Code section, to:318
(A) The principal's caregiver; or319
(B) Another person reasonably believed by the agent to have sufficient interest in the320
principal's welfare.321
10-6B-19.322
(a) A person that in good faith accepts a power of attorney without actual knowledge that323
the signature is not genuine may rely upon the presumption under Code Section 10-6B-5324
that the signature is genuine.325
(b) A person that in good faith accepts a power of attorney without actual knowledge that326
the power of attorney is void, invalid, or terminated, that the purported agent's authority is327
void, invalid, or terminated, or that the agent is exceeding or improperly exercising the328
agent's authority may rely upon the power of attorney as if the power of attorney were329
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genuine, valid, and still in effect, the agent's authority were genuine, valid, and still in330
effect, and the agent had not exceeded and had properly exercised the authority.331
(c) A person that is asked to accept a power of attorney may request, and rely upon,332
without further investigation:333
(1) An agent's certification under penalty of perjury of any factual matter concerning the334
principal, agent, or power of attorney;335
(2) A coagent's certification under penalty of perjury of any factual matter concerning336
the principal, agent, or power of attorney;337
(3) An English translation of the power of attorney if the power of attorney contains, in338
whole or in part, language other than English; and339
(4) An opinion of an attorney as to any matter of law concerning the power of attorney340
if the person making the request provides in a writing or other record the reason for the341
request.342
(d) An English translation or an opinion of an attorney requested under this Code section343
shall be provided at the principal's expense unless the request is made more than seven344
business days after the power of attorney is presented for acceptance.345
(e) For purposes of this Code section, a person that conducts activities through employees346
shall be without actual knowledge of a fact relating to a power of attorney, a principal, or347
an agent if the employee conducting the transaction involving the power of attorney is348
without actual knowledge of the fact.349
10-6B-20.350
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'statutory form power of attorney' means using:351
(1) The form set forth in Code Section 10-6B-70;352
(2) A military power of attorney pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 1044b, in effect on353
February 1, 2017; or354
(3) A document that substantially reflects the language in the form set forth in Code355
Section 10-6B-70, so long as it is witnessed as required by Code Section 10-6B-5.356
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Code section:357
(1) A person shall either accept a statutory form power of attorney or request a358
certification, a translation, or an opinion of an attorney under subsection (c) of Code359
Section 10-6B-19 no later than seven business days after presentation of the power of360
attorney for acceptance;361
(2) If a person requests a certification, a translation, or an opinion of an attorney under362
subsection (c) of Code Section 10-6B-19, the person shall accept the power of attorney363
no later than five business days after receipt of the certification, translation, or opinion364
of an attorney; and365
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(3) A person shall not require an additional or different form of power of attorney for366
authority granted in the power of attorney presented.367
(c) A person shall not be required to accept a statutory form power of attorney if:368
(1) The person is not otherwise required to engage in a transaction with the principal in369
the same circumstances;370
(2) Engaging in a transaction with the agent or the principal in the same circumstances371
would be inconsistent with federal law;372
(3) The person has actual knowledge of the termination of the agent's authority or of the373
power of attorney before exercise of the power;374
(4) A request for a certification, a translation, or an opinion of an attorney under375
subsection (c) of Code Section 10-6B-19 is refused;376
(5) The person in good faith believes that the power is not valid or that the agent does377
not have the authority to perform the act requested, whether or not a certification, a378
translation, or an opinion of an attorney under subsection (c) of Code Section 10-6B-19379
has been requested or provided; or380
(6) The person makes, or has actual knowledge that another person has made, a report381
to protective services as such term is defined in Code Section 30-5-1 stating a good faith382
belief that the principal may be subject to physical or financial abuse, neglect,383
exploitation, or abandonment by the agent or a person acting for or with the agent.384
(d) A person that refuses to accept a power of attorney in violation of this Code section385
shall be subject to:386
(1) A court order mandating acceptance of the power of attorney; and387
(2) Liability for reasonable attorney's fees and expenses of litigation incurred in any388
action or proceeding that confirms the validity of the power of attorney or mandates389
acceptance of the power of attorney.390
(e) For purposes of this Code section, a person that conducts activities through employees391
shall be without actual knowledge of a fact relating to a power of attorney, a principal, or392
an agent if the employee conducting the transaction involving the power of attorney is393
without actual knowledge of the fact.394
10-6B-21.395
Unless displaced by a provision of this chapter, the principles of law and equity supplement396
this chapter.397
10-6B-22.398
(a) This chapter shall not supersede any other law applicable to financial institutions or399
other entities, and the other law controls if inconsistent with this chapter.400
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(b) This chapter shall not supersede the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, 31 U.S.C. Section401
5311, in effect on February 1, 2017, and the corresponding regulations thereto, in effect on402
February 1, 2017.403
10-6B-23.404
The remedies under this chapter shall not be exclusive and shall not abrogate any right or405
remedy under the laws of this state other than this chapter.406
ARTICLE 2407
10-6B-40.408
(a) An agent under a power of attorney may do the following on behalf of the principal or409
with the principal's property only if the power of attorney expressly grants the agent the410
authority and exercise of the authority is not otherwise prohibited by another agreement or411
instrument to which the authority or property is subject:412
(1) Create, amend, revoke, or terminate an inter vivos trust;413
(2) Make a gift;414
(3) Create or change rights of survivorship;415
(4) Create or change a beneficiary designation;416
(5) Delegate authority granted under the power of attorney;417
(6) Waive the principal's right to be a beneficiary of a joint and survivor annuity,418
including a survivor benefit under a retirement plan;419
(7) Exercise fiduciary powers that the principal has authority to delegate;420
(8) Exercise authority over the content of electronic communications, as defined in 18421
U.S.C. Section 2510(12), in effect on February 1, 2017, sent or received by the principal;422
or423
(9) Disclaim property, including a power of appointment.424
(b) Notwithstanding a grant of authority to do an act described in subsection (a) of this425
Code section, unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent that is not an426
ancestor, spouse, or descendant of the principal, shall not exercise authority under a power427
of attorney to create in the agent, or in an individual to whom the agent owes a legal428
obligation of support, an interest in the principal's property, whether by gift, right of429
survivorship, beneficiary designation, disclaimer, or otherwise.430
(c) Subject to subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) of this Code section, if a power of attorney431
grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal could do, the agent has the general432
authority described in Code Sections 10-6B-43 through 10-6B-55.433
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(d) Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, a grant of authority to make a gift434
shall be subject to Code Section 10-6B-56.435
(e) Subject to subsections (a), (b), and (d) of this Code section, if the subjects over which436
authority is granted in a power of attorney are similar or overlap, the broadest authority437
shall control.438
(f) Authority granted in a power of attorney is exercisable with respect to property that the439
principal has when the power of attorney is executed or acquires later, whether or not the440
property is located in this state and whether or not the authority is exercised or the power441
of attorney is executed in this state.442
(g) An act performed by an agent pursuant to a power of attorney shall have the same443
effect and inures to the benefit of and binds the principal and the principal's successors in444
interest as if the principal had performed the act.445
10-6B-41.446
(a) An agent shall have authority described in this article if the power of attorney refers447
to general authority with respect to the descriptive term for the subjects stated in Code448
Sections 10-6B-43 through 10-6B-56 or cites the Code section in which the authority is449
described.450
(b) A reference in a power of attorney to general authority with respect to the descriptive451
term for a subject stated in Code Sections 10-6B-43 through 10-6B-56 or a citation to a452
specific Code section in Code Sections 10-6B-43 through 10-6B-56 shall incorporate the453
entire Code section as if it were set out in full in the power of attorney.454
(c) A principal may modify authority incorporated by reference.455
10-6B-42.456
Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, by executing a power of attorney457
that incorporates by reference a subject described in Code Sections 10-6B-43 through458
10-6B-56 or that grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal could do459
pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 10-6B-40, a principal shall authorize the agent,460
with respect to that subject, to:461
(1) Demand, receive, and obtain by litigation or otherwise, money or any other thing of462
value to which the principal is, may become, or claims to be entitled, and conserve,463
invest, disburse, or use anything so received or obtained for the purposes intended;464
(2) Contract in any manner with any person, on terms agreeable to the agent, to465
accomplish a purpose of a transaction and perform, rescind, cancel, terminate, reform,466
restate, release, or modify the contract or another contract made by or on behalf of the467
principal;468
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(3) Execute, acknowledge, seal, deliver, file, or record any instrument or communication469
the agent considers desirable to accomplish a purpose of a transaction, including creating470
at any time a schedule listing some or all of the principal's property and attaching it to the471
power of attorney;472
(4) Initiate, participate in, submit to alternative dispute resolution, settle, oppose, or473
propose or accept a compromise with respect to a claim existing in favor of or against the474
principal or intervene in litigation relating to the claim;475
(5) Seek on the principal's behalf the assistance of a court or other governmental agency476
to carry out an act authorized in the power of attorney;477
(6) Engage, compensate, and discharge an attorney, accountant, discretionary investment478
manager, expert witness, or other advisor;479
(7) Prepare, execute, and file a record, report, or other document to safeguard or promote480
the principal's interest under a law or regulation;481
(8) Communicate with any representative or employee of a government or governmental482
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, on behalf of the principal;483
(9) Except as otherwise provided under federal privacy laws, access communications484
intended for, and communicate on behalf of the principal, whether by mail, electronic485
transmission, telephone, or other means; and486
(10) Do any lawful act with respect to the subject and all property related to the subject.487
10-6B-43.488
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting489
general authority with respect to real property shall authorize the agent to:490
(1) Demand, buy, lease, receive, accept as a gift or as security for an extension of credit,491
or otherwise acquire or reject an interest in real property or a right incident to real492
property;493
(2) Sell; exchange; convey with or without covenants, representations, or warranties;494
quitclaim; release; surrender; retain title for security; encumber; partition; consent to495
partitioning; subject to an easement or covenant; subdivide; apply for zoning or other496
governmental permits; plat or consent to platting; develop; grant an option concerning;497
lease; sublease; contribute to an entity in exchange for an interest in that entity; or498
otherwise grant or dispose of an interest in real property or a right incident to real499
property;500
(3) Pledge or mortgage an interest in real property or right incident to real property as501
security to borrow money or pay, renew, or extend the time of payment of a debt of the502
principal or a debt guaranteed by the principal;503
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(4) Release, assign, satisfy, or enforce by litigation or otherwise a mortgage, deed of504
trust, conditional sale contract, encumbrance, lien, or other claim to real property which505
exists or is asserted;506
(5) Manage or conserve an interest in real property or a right incident to real property507
owned or claimed to be owned by the principal, including:508
(A) Insuring against liability or casualty or other loss;509
(B) Obtaining or regaining possession of or protecting the interest or right by litigation510
or otherwise;511
(C) Paying, assessing, compromising, or contesting taxes or assessments or applying512
for and receiving refunds in connection with such taxes or assessments; and513
(D) Purchasing supplies, hiring assistance or labor, and making repairs or alterations514
to the real property;515
(6) Use, develop, alter, replace, remove, erect, or install structures or other improvements516
upon real property in or incident to which the principal has, or claims to have, an interest517
or right;518
(7) Participate in a reorganization with respect to real property or an entity that owns an519
interest in or right incident to real property and receive, and hold, and act with respect to520
stocks and bonds or other property received in a plan of reorganization, including:521
(A) Selling or otherwise disposing of them;522
(B) Exercising or selling an option, right of conversion, or similar right with respect523
to them; and524
(C) Exercising any voting rights in person or by proxy;525
(8) Change the form of title of an interest in or right incident to real property; and526
(9) Dedicate to public use, with or without consideration, easements or other real527
property in which the principal has, or claims to have, an interest.528
10-6B-44.529
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting530
general authority with respect to tangible personal property shall authorize the agent to:531
(1) Demand, buy, receive, accept as a gift or as security for an extension of credit, or532
otherwise acquire or reject ownership or possession of tangible personal property or an533
interest in tangible personal property;534
(2) Sell; exchange; convey with or without covenants, representations, or warranties;535
quitclaim; release; surrender; create a security interest in; grant options concerning; lease;536
sublease; or otherwise dispose of tangible personal property or an interest in tangible537
personal property;538
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(3) Grant a security interest in tangible personal property or an interest in tangible539
personal property as security to borrow money or pay, renew, or extend the time of540
payment of a debt of the principal or a debt guaranteed by the principal;541
(4) Release, assign, satisfy, or enforce by litigation or otherwise, a security interest, lien,542
or other claim on behalf of the principal, with respect to tangible personal property or an543
interest in tangible personal property;544
(5) Manage or conserve tangible personal property or an interest in tangible personal545
property on behalf of the principal, including:546
(A) Insuring against liability or casualty or other loss;547
(B) Obtaining or regaining possession of or protecting the property or interest, by548
litigation or otherwise;549
(C) Paying, assessing, compromising, or contesting taxes or assessments or applying550
for and receiving refunds in connection with such taxes or assessments;551
(D) Moving the property from place to place;552
(E) Storing the property for hire or on a gratuitous bailment; and553
(F) Using and making repairs, alterations, or improvements to the property; and554
(6) Change the form of title of an interest in tangible personal property.555
10-6B-45.556
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting557
general authority with respect to stocks and bonds shall authorize the agent to:558
(1) Buy, sell, and exchange stocks and bonds;559
(2) Establish, continue, modify, or terminate an account with respect to stocks and560
bonds;561
(3) Pledge stocks and bonds as security to borrow, pay, renew, or extend the time of562
payment of a debt of the principal;563
(4) Receive certificates and other evidences of ownership with respect to stocks and564
bonds; and565
(5) Exercise voting rights with respect to stocks and bonds in person or by proxy, enter566
into voting trusts, and consent to limitations on the right to vote.567
10-6B-46.568
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting569
general authority with respect to commodities and options shall authorize the agent to:570
(1) Buy, sell, exchange, assign, settle, and exercise commodity futures contracts and call571
or put options on stocks or stock indexes traded on a regulated option exchange; and572
(2) Establish, continue, modify, and terminate option accounts.573
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10-6B-47.574
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting575
general authority with respect to banks and other financial institutions shall authorize the576
agent to:577
(1) Continue, modify, and terminate an account or other banking arrangement made by578
or on behalf of the principal;579
(2) Establish, modify, and terminate an account or other banking arrangement with a580
bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, thrift company,581
brokerage firm, or other financial institution selected by the agent;582
(3) Contract for services available from a financial institution, including renting a safe583
deposit box or space in a vault;584
(4) Withdraw, by check, order, electronic funds transfer, or otherwise, money or property585
of the principal deposited with or left in the custody of a financial institution;586
(5) Receive statements of account, vouchers, notices, and similar documents from a587
financial institution and act with respect to them;588
(6) Enter a safe deposit box or vault and withdraw or add to the contents;589
(7) Borrow money and pledge as security personal property of the principal necessary590
to borrow money or pay, renew, or extend the time of payment of a debt of the principal591