# Commencement

> When does a Power of Attorney commence?

Source: https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement · Updated 2 February 2023

- [**Commencement** of *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney)
- [Distinction between **commencement of the *Power of Attorney*** and **commencement of authority to perform tasks**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#distinction-between-commencement-of-the-power-of-attorney-and-commencement-of-authority-to-perform-tasks)
- [What is the term **binding on the principal** all about?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#what-is-the-term-binding-upon-the-principal-all-about)
- [**Options with respect to commencement** of *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#options-with-respect-to-commencement-of-a-power-of-attorney)
- [**Certification** of an occurence](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#certification-of-occurrence-of-a-contingency)
- [A special word about **New York**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#a-special-word-about-new-york)

## Commencement of *Power of Attorney*

The notion of [commencement](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) of a *Power of Attorney* is tied to the notion of a *Power of Attorney* becoming legally [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney).

In turn, the notion of becoming [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is often said to mark the point in time when a *Power of Attorney* “becomes effective” (*“becoming effective” being a concept of significance, for example in relation to* [*springing*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney and Powers of Attorney generally, see [Appendix 1](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#appendix-1-references-to-effect))*.

A *Power of Attorney* is presumed to be [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) (*i.e intended to become effective*) upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-properly-executed) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney).

This presumption may be overcome, for example where the *Power of Attorney* specifies otherwise.

### A Special Word About Florida

In **Florida**, the [creation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) of a *Power of Attorney* that is intended to become effective in the future is prohibited, by virtue of [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html).

[§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) states:-

"…*a Power of Attorney is ineffective if the Power of Attorney provides that it is to become effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency”.*

## Distinction Between Commencement Of The *Power of Attorney* And Commencement of Authority to Perform Tasks

Compare these two options:-

- a *Power of Attorney* that is said to become effective on a future date
- a *Power of Attorney* that is said to become effective immediately upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-properly-executed) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), but only authorizes [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) after a future date

These two concepts are often confused, sometimes to suggest that for example, where a *Power of Attorney* becomes effective immediately upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-properly-executed) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), but only authorizes [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) after a future date, the *Power of Attorney* is somehow [commencing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) on that future date.

Confusion exists in respect of this example because:-

- in practical terms, it seems correct to speak of such a *Power of Attorney* [commencing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) on the relevant future date
- in legal terms, it [commences](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) at the time it is [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-properly-executed) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney)

To remove the confusion, it is important to remember that rights are acquired and obligations imposed upon the *Power of Attorney* becoming effective, including rights on the part of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) and [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal), despite no [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) being authorized to perform the relevant tasks.

Those rights include as merely examples:-

- the right of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to expect the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to comply with any [directions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/directionwhatis#a-direction-regulates-the-core-terms-of-a-power-of-attorney) recorded in the *Power of Attorney*
- the duty of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to maintain confidentiality
- the duty of a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to potentially indemnify the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) for expenses incurred in association with performing in their role as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal), albeit presumably not expenses incurred performing any [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks), but perhaps for example, incurring expense in doing things like travelling to discuss matters relating to the *Power of Attorney* with the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal), obtaining legal advice where a technical issue has arisen and similar (*accepting of course, the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may include terms in the *Powers of Attorney* to regulate payment of such expenses*)
- the right of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to revoke the *Power of Attorney*, which cannot arise before the *Power of Attorney* has become effective

What these examples make clear is that “becoming effective” is not a concept which focuses upon the right on the part of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) might arise.

## What Is The Term ‘Binding Upon The Principal’ All About?

The expression “*[binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney)*” is poignantly found in the following phrase:-

“*…a Power of Attorney is [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) upon being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-properly-executed) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney)…*”

When we speak of a *Power of Attorney* becoming binding on the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), we are talking about the point in time from which the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) agrees to be bound by the terms in the *Power of Attorney*.

Once the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) demonstrates their intention to be bound by the terms of the *Power of Attorney* and that point in time arises, from that moment forward the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is bound by its terms, until such time as the *Power of Attorney* is [revoked](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal) or [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) for any other reason.

This means in practical terms, that from the point in time at which the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) wants the *Power of Attorney* to be [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon them:-

- the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) may be liable to pay [remuneration or expenses](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#agent-may-be-entitled-to-remuneration-or-expenses) to an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal)
- the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) may be obliged to indemnify the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) if the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) acquires a liability to a [third party](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-third-party) in the course of performing [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) on behalf of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) under the *Power of Attorney*
- the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) may be obliged to indemnify the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) in respect of loss suffered by the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) in the course of performing [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) on behalf of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) under the *Power of Attorney*, for example if the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) was injured whilst performing those [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks)

Before a *Power of Attorney* becomes [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), these obligations and liabilities do not and cannot arise.

As a matter of logic, the time at which a *Power of Attorney* becomes [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is the earliest point in time at which an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) might be appointed under the *Power of Attorney*, accepting that a *Power of Attorney* may specify some other ‘earliest date’ an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may be appointed, or otherwise define a [term of appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) for an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal).

## Options With Respect To Commencement Of A *Power of Attorney*

Here are some examples of different approaches dealing with [commencement](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) of a *Power of Attorney*:

- immediately upon [acceptance of appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentappt#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal)
- upon a certain future date
- upon the happening of a particular future event
- in the event that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) considers the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to be in need of an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal)
- in the event that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) considers the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) to be in need assistance managing their affairs
- in the event that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is unable to manage their affairs

## Certification of Occurrence of a Contingency

In the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), approaches differ with respect to the issue of an [agent’s](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) authority to certify matters relevant to [commencement](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney).

The certification options in the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) are addressed on the page of this Wiki titled [Certificates & Affidavits](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentcertsaffidavits#verifying-certificates-affidavits).

## A Special Word About New York

In **New York**, [5-1501B](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501B) provides:

“*The date on which an agent’s signature is acknowledged is the effective date of the *Power of Attorney* as to that agent; provided, however, that if two or more agents are designated to act together, the *Power of Attorney* takes effect when all the agents so designated have signed such power of attorney with their signatures acknowledged*…”