ESTATES CODE

TITLE 2. ESTATES OF DECEDENTS; DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEY

SUBTITLE P. DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEY

CHAPTER 751. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEY



SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS



Sec. 751.001. SHORT TITLE. This subtitle may be cited as the Durable Power of Attorney Act.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.002. DEFINITION OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY. A "durable power of attorney" means a written instrument that:

(1) designates another person as attorney in fact or agent;

(2) is signed by an adult principal;

(3) contains:

(A) the words:

(i) "This power of attorney is not affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal"; or

(ii) "This power of attorney becomes effective on the disability or incapacity of the principal"; or

(B) words similar to those of Paragraph (A) that show the principal's intent that the authority conferred on the attorney in fact or agent shall be exercised notwithstanding the principal's subsequent disability or incapacity; and

(4) is acknowledged by the principal before an officer authorized under the laws of this state or another state to:

(A) take acknowledgments to deeds of conveyance; and

(B) administer oaths.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.003. UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION. This subtitle shall be applied and construed to effect the general purpose of this subtitle, which is to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this subtitle among states enacting these provisions.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.004. DURATION OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY. A durable power of attorney does not lapse because of the passage of time unless the instrument creating the power of attorney specifically states a time limitation.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.005. EXTENSION OF PRINCIPAL'S AUTHORITY TO OTHER PERSONS. If, in this subtitle, a principal is given an authority to act, that authority includes:

(1) any person designated by the principal;

(2) a guardian of the estate of the principal; or

(3) another personal representative of the principal.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.006. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE. The rights set out under this subtitle are cumulative of any other rights or remedies the principal may have at common law or other applicable statutes and are not in derogation of those rights.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



SUBCHAPTER B. EFFECT OF CERTAIN ACTS ON EXERCISE OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY



Sec. 751.051. EFFECT OF ACTS PERFORMED BY ATTORNEY IN FACT OR AGENT DURING PRINCIPAL'S DISABILITY OR INCAPACITY. Each act performed by an attorney in fact or agent under a durable power of attorney during a period of the principal's disability or incapacity has the same effect, and inures to the benefit of and binds the principal and the principal's successors in interest, as if the principal were not disabled or incapacitated.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.052. RELATION OF ATTORNEY IN FACT OR AGENT TO COURT-APPOINTED GUARDIAN OF ESTATE. (a) If, after execution of a durable power of attorney, a court of the principal's domicile appoints a permanent guardian of the estate of the principal, the powers of the attorney in fact or agent terminate on the qualification of the guardian of the estate. The attorney in fact or agent shall:

(1) deliver to the guardian of the estate all assets of the ward's estate that are in the possession of the attorney in fact or agent; and

(2) account to the guardian of the estate as the attorney in fact or agent would account to the principal if the principal had terminated the powers of the attorney in fact or agent.

(b) If, after execution of a durable power of attorney, a court of the principal's domicile appoints a temporary guardian of the estate of the principal, the court may suspend the powers of the attorney in fact or agent on the qualification of the temporary guardian of the estate until the date the term of the temporary guardian expires. This subsection may not be construed to prohibit the application for or issuance of a temporary restraining order under applicable law.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.053. EFFECT OF PRINCIPAL'S DIVORCE OR MARRIAGE ANNULMENT IF FORMER SPOUSE IS ATTORNEY IN FACT OR AGENT. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the durable power of attorney, if, after execution of a durable power of attorney, the principal is divorced from a person who has been appointed the principal's attorney in fact or agent or the principal's marriage to a person who has been appointed the principal's attorney in fact or agent is annulled, the powers of the attorney in fact or agent granted to the principal's former spouse terminate on the date the divorce or annulment of marriage is granted by a court.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.054. KNOWLEDGE OF TERMINATION OF POWER; GOOD-FAITH ACTS. (a) The revocation by, the death of, or the qualification of a guardian of the estate of a principal who has executed a durable power of attorney does not revoke or terminate the agency as to the attorney in fact, agent, or other person who acts in good faith under or in reliance on the power without actual knowledge of the termination of the power by:

(1) the revocation;

(2) the principal's death; or

(3) the qualification of a guardian of the estate of the principal.

(b) The divorce of a principal from a person who has been appointed the principal's attorney in fact or agent before the date the divorce is granted, or the annulment of the marriage of a principal and a person who has been appointed the principal's attorney in fact or agent before the date the annulment is granted, does not revoke or terminate the agency as to a person other than the principal's former spouse if the person acts in good faith under or in reliance on the power of attorney.

(c) An action taken under this section, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, binds the principal's successors in interest.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.055. AFFIDAVIT REGARDING LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF TERMINATION OF POWER OR OF DISABILITY OR INCAPACITY; GOOD-FAITH RELIANCE. (a) As to an act undertaken in good-faith reliance on a durable power of attorney, an affidavit executed by the attorney in fact or agent under the durable power of attorney stating that the attorney in fact or agent did not have, at the time the power was exercised, actual knowledge of the termination of the power by revocation, the principal's death, the principal's divorce or the annulment of the principal's marriage if the attorney in fact or agent was the principal's spouse, or the qualification of a guardian of the estate of the principal, is conclusive proof as between the attorney in fact or agent and a person other than the principal or the principal's personal representative dealing with the attorney in fact or agent of the nonrevocation or nontermination of the power at that time.

(b) As to an act undertaken in good-faith reliance on a durable power of attorney, an affidavit executed by the attorney in fact or agent under the durable power of attorney stating that the principal is disabled or incapacitated, as defined by the power of attorney, is conclusive proof as between the attorney in fact or agent and a person other than the principal or the principal's personal representative dealing with the attorney in fact or agent of the principal's disability or incapacity at that time.

(c) If the exercise of the power of attorney requires execution and delivery of an instrument that is to be recorded, an affidavit executed under Subsection (a) or (b), authenticated for record, may also be recorded.

(d) This section and Section 751.056 do not affect a provision in a durable power of attorney for the termination of the power by:

(1) expiration of time; or

(2) the occurrence of an event other than express revocation.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.056. NONLIABILITY OF THIRD PARTY ON GOOD-FAITH RELIANCE. If a durable power of attorney is used, a third party who relies in good faith on the acts of an attorney in fact or agent performed within the scope of the power of attorney is not liable to the principal.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.057. EFFECT OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING. (a) The filing of a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy in connection with the debts of a principal who has executed a durable power of attorney does not revoke or terminate the agency as to the principal's attorney in fact or agent.

(b) Any act the attorney in fact or agent may undertake with respect to the principal's property is subject to the limitations and requirements of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.) until a final determination is made in the bankruptcy proceeding.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.058. EFFECT OF REVOCATION OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY ON THIRD PARTY. Unless otherwise provided by the durable power of attorney, a revocation of a durable power of attorney is not effective as to a third party relying on the power of attorney until the third party receives actual notice of the revocation.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



SUBCHAPTER C. DUTY TO INFORM AND ACCOUNT



Sec. 751.101. FIDUCIARY DUTIES. An attorney in fact or agent is a fiduciary and has a duty to inform and to account for actions taken under the power of attorney.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.102. DUTY TO TIMELY INFORM PRINCIPAL. (a) The attorney in fact or agent shall timely inform the principal of each action taken under the power of attorney.

(b) Failure of an attorney in fact or agent to timely inform, as to third parties, does not invalidate any action of the attorney in fact or agent.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.103. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS. (a) The attorney in fact or agent shall maintain records of each action taken or decision made by the attorney in fact or agent.

(b) The attorney in fact or agent shall maintain all records until delivered to the principal, released by the principal, or discharged by a court.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.104. ACCOUNTING. (a) The principal may demand an accounting by the attorney in fact or agent.

(b) Unless otherwise directed by the principal, an accounting under Subsection (a) must include:

(1) the property belonging to the principal that has come to the attorney in fact's or agent's knowledge or into the attorney in fact's or agent's possession;

(2) each action taken or decision made by the attorney in fact or agent;

(3) a complete account of receipts, disbursements, and other actions of the attorney in fact or agent that includes the source and nature of each receipt, disbursement, or action, with receipts of principal and income shown separately;

(4) a listing of all property over which the attorney in fact or agent has exercised control that includes:

(A) an adequate description of each asset; and

(B) the asset's current value, if the value is known to the attorney in fact or agent;

(5) the cash balance on hand and the name and location of the depository at which the cash balance is kept;

(6) each known liability; and

(7) any other information and facts known to the attorney in fact or agent as necessary for a full and definite understanding of the exact condition of the property belonging to the principal.

(c) Unless directed otherwise by the principal, the attorney in fact or agent shall also provide to the principal all documentation regarding the principal's property.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.105. EFFECT OF FAILURE TO COMPLY; SUIT. If the attorney in fact or agent fails or refuses to inform the principal, provide documentation, or deliver an accounting under Section 751.104 within 60 days of a demand under that section, or a longer or shorter period as demanded by the principal or ordered by a court, the principal may file suit to:

(1) compel the attorney in fact or agent to deliver the accounting or the assets; or

(2) terminate the power of attorney.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



Sec. 751.106. EFFECT OF SUBCHAPTER ON PRINCIPAL'S RIGHTS. This subchapter does not limit the right of the principal to terminate the power of attorney or to make additional requirements of or to give additional instructions to the attorney in fact or agent.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.



SUBCHAPTER D. RECORDING DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS



This section was amended by the 84th Legislature. Pending publication of the current statutes, see H.B. 3316, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, for amendments affecting this section.

Sec. 751.151. RECORDING FOR REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF INSTRUMENTS. A durable power of attorney for a real property transaction requiring the execution and delivery of an instrument that is to be recorded, including a release, assignment, satisfaction, mortgage, security agreement, deed of trust, encumbrance, deed of conveyance, oil, gas, or other mineral lease, memorandum of a lease, lien, or other claim or right to real property, must be recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the property is located.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 823 (H.B. 2759), Sec. 1.01, eff. January 1, 2014.