Title 11 — Title 11 PROBATE AND TRUST LAW

Chapter 209, Laws of 2016 may be known and cited as the uniform power of attorney act.[ 2016 c 209 s 101.]

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Agent" means a person granted authority to act for a principal under a power of attorney, whether denominated an agent, attorney-in-fact, or otherwise. The term includ…

(1) This chapter applies to all powers of attorney except:(a) A power to the extent it is coupled with an interest in the subject of the power, including a power given to or for the benefit of a creditor in connection with a credit transaction;(b) A proxy or other delegation to e…

The authority conferred under a power of attorney created prior to January 1, 2017, and also for a power of attorney created on or after January 1, 2017, terminates upon the incapacity of the principal unless the writing contains the words "This power of attorney shall not be aff…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2604.SL) ***(1) A power of attorney must be signed and dated by the principal, and the signature must be either acknowledged before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments, or attested by two or more competent witn…

(1) A power of attorney executed in this state on or after January 1, 2017, is valid if its execution complies with RCW 11.125.050.(2) A power of attorney executed in this state before January 1, 2017, is valid if its execution complied with the law of this state as it existed at…

The meaning and effect of a power of attorney is determined by the law of the jurisdiction indicated in the power of attorney and, in the absence of an indication of jurisdiction, by the law of the jurisdiction in which the power of attorney was executed.[ 2016 c 209 s 107.]

(1) In a power of attorney, a principal may nominate a conservator of the estate or guardian of the person for consideration by the court if protective proceedings for the principal's estate or person are begun after the principal executes the power of attorney. Except for good c…

(1) A power of attorney is effective when executed unless the principal provides in the power of attorney that it becomes effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency.(2) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a futur…

(1) A power of attorney terminates when:(a) The principal dies;(b) The principal becomes incapacitated, if the power of attorney is not durable;(c) The principal revokes the power of attorney;(d) The power of attorney provides that it terminates;(e) The purpose of the power of at…

(1) A principal may designate in a power of attorney two or more persons to act as coagents. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, all coagents must exercise their authority jointly; provided, however, a coagent may delegate that coagent's authority to another coagent.…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent is entitled to reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the principal and to reasonable compensation.[ 2016 c 209 s 112.]

Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, a person accepts appointment as an agent under a power of attorney by exercising authority or performing duties as an agent or by any other assertion or conduct indicating acceptance.[ 2016 c 209 s 113.]

(1) Notwithstanding provisions in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted appointment shall:(a) 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;(b) Act in good fait…

A provision in a power of attorney relieving an agent of liability for breach of duty is binding on the principal and the principal's successors in interest except to the extent the provision:(1) Relieves the agent of liability for breach of duty committed dishonestly, with an im…

(1) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, the following persons may bring a petition described in subsection (2) of this section:(a) The principal or the agent;(b) The spouse or state registered domestic partner of the principal;(c) The guardian of the estate or …

An agent that violates this chapter is liable to the principal or the principal's successors in interest for the amount required to restore the value of the principal's property to what it would have been had the violation not occurred.[ 2016 c 209 s 117.]

Unless the power of attorney has been terminated in accordance with RCW 11.125.080, or the power of attorney provides a different method for an agent's resignation, an agent may resign by giving notice to the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated:(1) To the conservator…

(1) For purposes of this section and RCW 11.125.200, "acknowledged" means purportedly verified before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments.(2) A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney without actual knowledge that the…

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section:(a) A person shall either accept an acknowledged power of attorney or request a certification or a translation no later than seven business days after presentation of the power of attorney for acceptance;(b) If a …

Unless displaced by a provision of this chapter, the principles of law and equity supplement this chapter.[ 2016 c 209 s 121.]

This chapter does not supersede any other law applicable to financial institutions or other entities, and the other law controls if inconsistent with this chapter.[ 2016 c 209 s 122.]

The remedies under this chapter are not exclusive and do not abrogate any right or remedy under the law of this state other than this chapter.[ 2016 c 209 s 123.]

(1) An agent under a power of attorney may, subject to the requirements of RCW 11.125.140, and in particular RCW 11.125.140(2)(f), do the following on behalf of the principal or with the principal's property only if the power of attorney expressly grants the agent the authority a…

(1) Subject to the provisions of RCW 11.125.240, if a power of attorney grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal could do or contains words of similar effect, the agent has the general authority described in RCW 11.125.260 through 11.125.410.(2) An agent has a…

Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, by executing a power of attorney that incorporates by reference a subject described in RCW 11.125.270 through 11.125.410 or that grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal could do pursuant to RCW 11.125.250…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to real property authorizes the agent to:(1) Demand; buy; sublease; license; receive; accept as a gift or as security for an extension of credit; or otherwise …

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to tangible personal property authorizes the agent to:(1) Demand, buy, receive, accept as a gift or as security for an extension of credit, or otherwise acquir…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to stocks, bonds, and financial instruments authorizes the agent to:(1) Buy, sell, and exchange stocks, bonds, and financial instruments;(2) Establish, continu…

Except as otherwise expressly provided in chapter 209, Laws of 2016 and in chapter 30A.22 RCW, unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to banks and other financial institutions authorizes the agent t…

Subject to the terms of a document or an agreement governing an entity or an entity ownership interest, and unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to operation of an entity or business authorizes th…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to insurance and annuities authorizes the agent to:(1) Continue, pay the premium or make a contribution on, modify, exchange, sell, rescind, release, or termin…

(1) In this section, "estates, trusts, and other beneficial interests" means a trust, probate estate, guardianship, conservatorship, escrow, or custodianship or a fund from which the principal is, may become, or claims to be, entitled to a share or payment.(2) Unless the power of…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to claims and litigation authorizes the agent, without the need for appointment of a guardian or guardian ad litem under Title 4 RCW, to:(1) Assert and maintai…

(1) Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to personal and family maintenance authorizes the agent to:(a) Perform the acts necessary to maintain the customary standard of living of the principal, th…

(1) In this section, "benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service" means any benefit, program or assistance provided under a statute or regulation including social security, medicare, and medicaid.(2) Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language …

(1) In this section, "retirement plan" means a plan or account created by an employer, the principal, or another individual to provide retirement benefits or deferred compensation of which the principal is a participant, beneficiary, or owner, including but not limited to a plan …

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to taxes authorizes the agent to:(1) Prepare, sign, and file federal, state, local, and foreign income, gift, payroll, property, federal insurance contribution…

(1) In this section, a gift "for the benefit of" a person includes but is not limited to a gift to a trust, an account under the uniform transfers to minors act of any jurisdiction, and a tuition savings account or prepaid tuition plan as defined under internal revenue code secti…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, where language in a power of attorney grants general authority with respect to health care matters:(1) The agent shall be authorized to act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the health insurance portability and…

Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, the following general provisions shall apply to any power of attorney making reference to the care of the principal's minor children:(1) A parent or guardian, through a power of attorney, may authorize an agent to make health care …

Notwithstanding any provision in chapter 209, Laws of 2016, or any provision in a power of attorney, no rights under Washington's death with dignity act, chapter 70.245 RCW, may be exercised through a power of attorney.[ 2016 c 209 s 219.]

The following optional form may be used by an agent to certify facts concerning a power of attorney.AGENT'S CERTIFICATION AS TO THE VALIDITY OF POWER OF ATTORNEYAND AGENT'S AUTHORITYState of _____ [County] of _____] I, (Name of Agent), [certify] under penalty of perjurythat (Name…

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among the states that enact it.[ 2016 c 209 s 501.]

Chapter 209, Laws of 2016 modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal electronic signatures in global and national commerce act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c), or authorize electronic deli…

Except as otherwise provided in chapter 209, Laws of 2016, on January 1, 2017:(1) Chapter 209, Laws of 2016 applies to a power of attorney created before, on, or after January 1, 2017;(2) Chapter 209, Laws of 2016 applies to a judicial proceeding concerning a power of attorney co…

This act takes effect January 1, 2017.[ 2016 c 209 s 506.]