§ 39B-1-114 — Agent's duties

West Virginia § 39B-1-114

• Jurisdiction: West Virginia
• Ch. 39B: UNIFORM POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT
• Art. 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Text

(a) Notwithstanding provisions in the power of attorney, an agent who has accepted appointment shall:

(1) Act in accordance with the principal’s reasonable expectations to the extent actually known by the agent and, otherwise, in the principal’s best interest;

(2) Act in good faith; and

(3) Act only within the scope of authority granted in the power of attorney.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent who has accepted appointment shall:

(1) Act loyally for the principal’s benefit;

(2) Act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent’s ability to act impartially in the principal’s best interest;

(3) Act with the care, competence and diligence ordinarily exercised by agents in similar circumstances;

(4) Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements and transactions made on behalf of the principal;

(5) Cooperate with a person that has authority to make health-care decisions for the principal to carry out the principal’s reasonable expectations to the extent actually known by the agent and, otherwise, act in the principal’s best interest; and

(6) Attempt to preserve the principal’s estate plan, to the extent actually known by the agent, if preserving the plan is consistent with the principal’s best interest based on all relevant factors, including:

(A) The value and nature of the principal’s property;

(B) The principal’s foreseeable obligations and need for maintenance;

(C) Minimization of taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation-skipping transfer and gift taxes; and

(D) Eligibility for a benefit, a program or assistance under a statute or regulation.

(c) An agent that acts in good faith is not liable to any beneficiary of the principal’s estate plan for failure to preserve the plan.

(d) An agent that acts with care, competence and diligence for the best interest of the principal is not liable solely because the agent also benefits from the act or has an individual or conflicting interest in relation to the property or affairs of the principal.

(e) If an agent is selected by the principal because of special skills or expertise possessed by the agent or in reliance on the agent’s representation that the agent has special skills or expertise, the special skills or expertise must be considered in determining whether the agent has acted with care, competence and diligence under the circumstances.

(f) Absent a breach of duty to the principal, an agent is not liable if the value of the principal’s property declines.

(g) An agent who exercises authority to delegate to another person the authority granted by the principal or who engages another person on behalf of the principal is not liable for an act, error of judgment or default of that person if the agent exercises care, competence and diligence in selecting and monitoring the person.

(h) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent is not required to disclose receipts, disbursements or transactions conducted on behalf of the principal or provide an accounting unless: ordered by a court or requested by the principal, a guardian, a conservator, another fiduciary acting for the principal, a governmental agency having authority to protect the welfare of the principal or, upon the death of the principal, by the personal representative or successor in interest of the principal’s estate. If so requested, within 30 days the agent shall comply with the request or provide a writing or other record substantiating why additional time is needed and shall comply with the request within an additional 30 days. If an agent fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section, the court may award the principal or other authorized party requesting the disclosure reimbursement of reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred.

Legislative History

2018 Reg. Sess., HB4320; 2016 Reg. Sess., HB4517; 2012 Reg. Sess., HB4390