# Titles & Types > What different types of Powers of Attorney exist? Source: https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons · Updated 27 September 2023 ### Nutshell **Page overview** Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPQSrOxaws **Headings** The headings on this page are: **About Titles** - [**Titles distinguish** one-off **features**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#titles-distinguish-different-features) - [A common delineation - **durable and non-durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#the-common-delineation-durable-non-durable) - [A **useful analogy**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-useful-analogy) **About Types** | | | | --- | --- | | **Basic Types** | [**Non-Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) / [**Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) / [**Non-Statutory**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) / [**Statutory**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) | | **Hybrid** | [**Non-Statutory Non-Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) / [**Non-Statutory Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) / [**Statutory Non-Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) / [**Statutory Durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) | | **Variant** | [**Commercial**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#commercial-powers-of-attorney) / [**Military**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) / [**Legislative**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#legislative-powers-of-attorney) / [**Contractual**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney) / [**Oral**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#oral-powers-of-attorney) / [**Irrevocable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) / [**General**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) / [**Limited, Special & Specific**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) / [**Springing**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) / [**Temporary**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#temporary-powers-of-attorney) | Note: Not including *Powers of Attorney* for [health purposes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/nutshellhealth#california). ## **Titles Distinguish Different Features** Titles of *Powers of Attorney* reflect variously upon matters such as the purpose or terms of a *Power of Attorney*, or the circumstances in which a *Power of Attorney* has been [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings). ### Examples Examples of titles include: [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#commercial-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney), [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney), [legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#legislative-powers-of-attorney), [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney), [oral](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#oral-powers-of-attorney), [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney), [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney), [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [specific](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney), [temporary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#temporary-powers-of-attorney) and [ordinary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#ordinary-power-of-attorney). ### Utility of Titles It is benign to suggest that a single word might inform a reader of all of the minutiae associated with appointing an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) under a *Power of Attorney*. Titles like [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#commercial-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney), [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney), [legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#legislative-powers-of-attorney), [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney), [oral](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#oral-powers-of-attorney), [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney), [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney), [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [specific](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney), [temporary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#temporary-powers-of-attorney) and [ordinary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#ordinary-power-of-attorney) often seem as helpful as they are bewildering. Every *Power of Attorney* is unique, although [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) are considerably more generic than [custom-made](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/framework#features-of-custom-made-power-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. Knowing the purpose of a *Power of Attorney* without its terms, or its terms without its purpose, is not particularly informative, which illustrates the problem with 'one word' titles, of the kind cited under the heading "[Examples](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/problemswithterminology#examples)" above. Understanding the design of a *Power of Attorney* requires reading its terms as a whole[^1] in conjunction with any relevant [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). ### Where Legislation Governs A *Power of Attorney* [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governs *Powers of Atttorney* for [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^2]:- - in Texas in respect of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* - in ****California****, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania[^3] Particular nomenclature may be nonsensical in some of these states. For example:- - in Florida:- - the absence of a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) renders it a nonsense to speak of a [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney) or [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* - prohibition of the [creation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) of [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* arguably renders it a nonsense to speak of a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* (see [§709.2201(1)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2201.html)) - prohibitions of the [creation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) of *Powers of Attorney* that "become effective" in the future arguably render it a nonsense to speak of [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* (see [§709.2108(c)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html)) - in Pennsylvania, a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) is not promulgated, rendering it a nonsense to speak of [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* ### Where Legislation Does Not Govern A *Power of Attorney* In Texas, a *Power of Attorney* is not governed by [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) if it is either:- - for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^4] and [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) - for a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) (*i.e. a business trading as a company or partnership, a trust or an association etc.*)[^5] ## The Common Delineation - Durable & Non-Durable The distinction between [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* is frustrating because:- - it says nothing for example, about whether a *Power of Attorney* is [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney), [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) or [specific](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) - in New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania, [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) renders any *Power of Attorney* [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) in the [absence of contrary terms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#new-york-illinois-pennsylvania)[^6] - the distinction is irrelevant to a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) which has no use for a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*[^7] ### The Problem Is Bigger The problem is much bigger than distinguishing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*, because:- - a [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [revocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal) - a [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [revocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal), [temporary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#temporary-powers-of-attorney) and [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) - a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be [revocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal), [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney), [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-powers-of-attorney) - a [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be [non-military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-military-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [temporary](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#temporary-powers-of-attorney) and [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) These examples merely illustrate the limited utility in giving a *Power of Attorney* any particular title of the kind under the heading "[Examples](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/problemswithterminology#examples)" above. A single word does not convey an account of the many features of a *Power of Attorney* that which would need to be addressed, if a title was to be genuinely useful. ## A Useful Analogy A *Power of Attorney* might be likened to a motor vehicle. Imagine if you were only told a particular car was a certain color, or had 6 cylinders, or its manufacturer, or model. Insight about one feature of a car is unlikely to say much, even if it is a comparably important piece of information. By contrast, if you were told it is a red, convertible, automatic, 6 cylinder, turbo charged, 2017 BMW 2 Series.. this would be more helpful. Even these details wouldn't tell you if it was in good condition, or had certain modifications or accessories. Ultimately, there would be no substitute for inspecting the vehicle in person. Similarly, there is no substitute for reading a *Power of Attorney* in full, to understand how it works. ## Specific Insight About Various Types - [Non-Durable *not intended to survive the principal losing capacity*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) - [Durable *intended to survive the principal losing capacity*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#types-of-powers-of-attorney) - [Non-Statutory *not a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#creation-of-powers-of-attorney) - [Statutory *a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#legislation) - [Non-Statutory Non-Durable *not intended to survive the principal losing capacity and is not a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#officeholders) - [Non-Statutory Durable *intended to survive the principal losing capacity and is not a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#agents) - [Statutory Non-Durable *not intended to survive the principal losing capacity and is a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#duration) - [Statutory Durable *intended to survive the principal losing capacity and is a government form*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#design) - [Commercial *for commercial purposes*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#property) - [Military *for use by military personnel*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#capacity) - [Legislative *referred to in federal or state legislation*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#jurisdiction) - [Contractual *referred to in federal or state legislation*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#amendment) - [Oral *created using spoken words*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#records) - [Irrevocable *cannot be revoked by the principal*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#enforcement) - [General *authorizing performance of all tasks*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#reform) - [Limited, Special & Specific *imited term or term of appointment, authorizing performance of specific tasks etc.*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#case-studies) - [Soringing *not immediately binding upon the principal upon being properly executed by the principal*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#q-as) - [Temporary *only operates for a fixed period*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/interindex#words-phrases) ## ## **Non-Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** - **a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity) ### Preferred Approach To understand the meaning of "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*" it is necessary to first appreciate that a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a *Power of Attorney* that performs in accordance with its terms, is not [terminated](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end), suspended or deemed voidable, as a consequence of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), being a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). If [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* had not been developed in around 1960, there would have been no need to develop the term "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)" *Power of Attorney*, which gives the term "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)" an unusual, limited purpose. It follows that in this Wiki, the following description of a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is preferred: > "A non-durable *Power of Attorney* is a *Power of Attorney* that, upon the principal losing capacity does not continue to operate by virtue of operation of law, perhaps terminating, being suspended or becoming voidable by virtue of operation of common law or statute, being a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). ### Usual Definition A [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is often defined as: "..a *Power of Attorney* that [**terminates**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) **immediately upon the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **losing** [**capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs).." ### Limitations of The Usual Definition The usual definition, focusing upon [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end), overlooks that at [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law) outcomes are not limited to [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) and include for example, the *Power of Attorney* being suspended or becoming voidable. Alternative outcomes to [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) are discussed in articles like [*Does The Agency Die When The Principal Becomes Mentally Incapacitated?*](https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1163&context=sulr) by Alfred Mukatis (1983) & [*Incompetent Principals, Competent Third Parties, and the Law of Agency*](https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2136&context=ilj) by Alexander Meiklejohn (1986). ### Definition of "Non-Durable" In California In **California** [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) is an inherently more likely outcome at least with respect to a *Power of Attorney* that is for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons), because in **California** [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) specifically addresses [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end), being a provision which has no equivalent in the other [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). In **California**, [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) provides:- "..*the authority of an [agent] under a **nondurable** Power of Attorney is terminated by the incapacity of the principal to contract.."* [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) in **California** is unlikely to be exclusive so as to replace any [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law) that may result in any other outcome with respect to *Powers of Attorney* that are not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). As to why this is correct, consider the need to accommodate for example, [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) who wish to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) under which an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is authorized to perform certain tasks between two, future dates if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) between those two dates, without authority to act at any other time if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), the point being that if [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) was proscriptive in this instance, the *Powers of Attorney* would [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lost [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) prior to the earlier of the two dates, being an outcome unlikely to have been intended by the legislature when [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) was enacted. ### The Uncertain Territory in California It follows that the operation of [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) in **California** is limited to recognising [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) as a requirement relevant to a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and any *Power of Attorney* that does not [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) at such time which is for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) needing to comply with the requirements of a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, or risk falling into the uncertain territory where a *Power of Attorney* is neither [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) in the sense that the *Power of Attorney* fulfils neither of the statutory constructs described by these terms. Where a *Power of Attorney* is for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) and does not state that it [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) and does not satisfy the requirements of a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, it would seem to be subject to any applicable [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law) defining outcomes with respect to the *Power of Attorney* in the event that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), because [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) is not proscriptive (for the reason explained in the previous paragraph) and so, where the *Power of Attorney* does not prescribe that it [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) and [termination](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) is not the appropriate outcome at [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law), the outcome as prescribed at [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law) would operate, alternative outcomes (such as the *Power of Attorney* being suspended or becoming voidable) being discussed in articles like [*Does The Agency Die When The Principal Becomes Mentally Incapacitated?*](https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1163&context=sulr) by Alfred Mukatis (1983) & [*Incompetent Principals, Competent Third Parties, and the Law of Agency*](https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2136&context=ilj) by Alexander Meiklejohn (1986), as referred to above. ### Legislative References in California In respect of a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) in **California** :- [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) states *“..the authority of an [agent] under a nondurable Power of Attorney is terminated by the incapacity of the principal to contract..”* [§4018](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4018.html) states “*Durable power of attorney” means a power of attorney that satisfies the requirements for durability provided in* [*§4124*](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4124.html)" [§4124](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4124.html) deals with [mandatory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) inclusion of an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent), being “*words showing the intent of the principal that the authority conferred shall be exercisable notwithstanding the principal's subsequent incapacity”* [§4022](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4022.html) provides *"..a Power of Attorney may be durable or nondurable.."* [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) provides (bold added): “*A springing Power of Attorney may be a durable power of attorney or a nondurable Power of Attorney*…” ### Irrelevant to Commercial Entity Similar to *Powers of Attorney* that are not subject to the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons)[^8], a distinction between [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) and [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) with respect to a *Power of Attorney* for a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) being [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) or [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) is a nonsense. There is no reason to draw a distinction with respect to [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* for a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity), because the concept of durability is not relevant to a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity). This is because:- - the only reason that the distinction between "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)" and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* exists is to accommodate considerations relevant to [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) - the concept of [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) is irrelevant to [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) and only relevant to [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) ### Usage Of Term "Non-Durable" Outside California Other than in **California**, only the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of New York mentions the word "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)", being no more than an innocuous refererence in [§5-1504](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1504) in the context of [enforcement against third parties](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states), being with respect to an [enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) that only operates in respect of *Powers of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that are not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons), being also a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il). The term "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)" is not mentioned in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of Texas, Florida, Illinois or Pennsylvania. ### The Expression "Not Durable" in New York & Pennsylvania The terms "not durable" and "not a durable" are mentioned in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of New York and Pennsylvania respectively:- - in New York, [§1511](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1511) provides “..a *Power of Attorney terminates when the principal becomes incapacitated, if the Power of Attorney is not durable…”* - in Pennsylvania, [§5605](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5605.html) provides "..*the disability or incapacity of a principal who has previously executed a written power of attorney which is not a durable power shall not revoke or terminate the agency as to the agent or other person, who, without actual knowledge of the disability or incapacity of the principal, acts in good faith under the power*..." ### Excluded *Powers of Attorney* A *Power of Attorney* that is [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) would be confusingly called [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney). It is confusing because:- - *Powers of Attorney* for various [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) purposes fall outside the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - in principle, an [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) *Power of Attorney* might for example, be found to perhaps [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end), be suspended or become voidable in the event that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) - it follows that to account for such *Powers of Attorney* as “..*[terminating](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) immediately upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs)*..” would not be accurate, because it might be suspended, or deemed voidable - beyond that, it might be said that any *Power of Attorney* [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) is [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), because it cannot be cast as [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) in any event ### *Powers of Attorney* Non-Compliant With Mandatory Requirements With respect to **California** outcomes where a *Power of Attorney* does not comply with the [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) applicable to a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and is not said to [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) immediately upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) are discussed under the heading [The Uncertain Territory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#the-uncertain-territory) above. Things become interesting where a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) and: - does not comply with [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) applicable to a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and yet for example, is somehow indicated to be perhaps intended to be a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - is consistent with being a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and yet, complies with the [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) applicable to a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - in some ways is consistent with being both a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* These possibilities are not as remote as they may seem. Consider for example, a *Power of Attorney* in **California**, Texas or Florida (being states that require the inclusion of an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent)) that includes an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent) but is not [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements-are-common) in accordance with the [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) applicable to a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. There are other examples of how this kind of difficulty might arise, although examples tend to involve some error being made in the drafting of the *Power of Attorney*, for example a *Power of Attorney* in **California**, Texas or Florida (being states that require the inclusion of an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent)) that includes an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent) and is [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements-are-common) and otherwise complies with the [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) applicable to a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, but irregularly also contains an expression to the effect "*this Power of Attorney will terminate upon the principal losing capacity*". These kinds of difficulties seem inherently less likely to arise in respect of *Powers of Attorney* in New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois, where a *Power of Attorney* is assumed to be [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) unless the *Power of Attorney* prescribes otherwise, which is presumably part of the explanation as to why this approach is preferred in these states. Issues arising where a *Power of Attorney* does not comply with [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) are discussed further under the heading [Failure to Comply With Mandatory Requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablegeneral#failure-to-comply-with-mandatory-requirements). ### “Ordinary” *Power of Attorney* Sometimes, the term “ordinary *Power of Attorney*” is used to identify a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. ### A Few Words About Non-Durable *Powers of Attorney* Outside California #### **Texas** [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) enacted in Texas deals with [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* and makes no reference to [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. That is not to say that [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* do not exist in Texas, merely that they receive no attention in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). ##### A Word About §751.003 In Texas The legislation of Texas includes [§751.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-003.html), in respect of which there no equivalent in any of the other five (5) of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). [§751.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-003.html) states: "*This subtitle shall be applied and construed to effect the general purpose of this subtitle, which is to make uniform to the fullest extent possible the law with respect to the subject of this subtitle among states enacting these provisions*.." [§751.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-003.html) may be of relevance in determining how things work in Texas, with respect to [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) and [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. That is not to say that the effect of [§751.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-003.html) in Texas is particularly clear, in particular with respect to what the term "*states enacting these provisions*" in [§751.003](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-003.html) means. > [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm) in Texas was introduced in 2011 and amended to add the underlined section in 2017:- > > **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 to the fullest extent possible the law with respect to the subject of this subtitle among states enacting these provisions.*" > > The 2011 amendments to the *Power of Attorney* [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) in Texas formed part of wider changes to the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) discussed in articles like [The Story of the Texas Estates Code](https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2346/73630/15_6EstPlan%26CmtyPropLJ323%282013-2014%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y) by William D. Pargaman (2014). Because the insertion of [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm) post-dates the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law), when considering the effect of [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm) there may be a question as to the extent to which the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) were taken up in Texas and other states, in particular because if the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) were taken up in Texas then the term "these provisions" might refer to the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) in which event, only the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of states that also took up the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) would be relevant in this context. In the [Enactment History](https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?communitykey=b1975254-8370-4a7c-947f-e5af0d6cb07c) for the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) (*as amongst the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa)*) it is suggested that only Texas and Pennsylvania took up the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law). If the term "these provisions" refers to the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) (*as opposed to say, a reference to enactment of any provisions dealing with [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney**), it would mean that uniformity considerations only extend to Pennsylvania when looking at the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), noting none of the remainder of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) are said to have taken up the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law), at least in the [Enactment History](https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?communitykey=b1975254-8370-4a7c-947f-e5af0d6cb07c). If the term "these provisions" does not refer to the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law), further consideration would need to be given to what the words "these provisions" refer to in [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm) and due consideration given to which states have enacted those provisions, to understand and apply [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm). [§751.001](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm) states "*This subtitle may be cited as the Durable Power of Attorney Act*", being the sub-title referred to in [§751.003](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.751.htm), which might suggest reference is being made to any state that has enacted [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) dealing with [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* however this seems to be incorrect, given that [§404](https://www.uniformlaws.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=035bcb2c-b21c-e96d-f80f-5bfa14c2d604&forceDialog=0) of the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) recommends repeal of any *Durable Power of Attorney Act* and [§104](https://www.uniformlaws.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=035bcb2c-b21c-e96d-f80f-5bfa14c2d604&forceDialog=0) of the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) is in direct conflict with [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html) of the *Texas Probate Code*, raising questions as to how it is said in the [Enactment History](https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?communitykey=b1975254-8370-4a7c-947f-e5af0d6cb07c) in respect of the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) that Texas took up the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) and suggesting that Texas did not take up the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law) in important respects, meaning that the term "these provisions" could not be referring to the [2006 ULC recommendations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#refinement-of-the-law). #### **Florida** [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) makes no reference to [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney.* [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) provides with respect to a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) that: - “*“Durable” means, with respect to a power of attorney, not terminated by the incapacity of the principal*” ([§709.2102](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2102.html)) - “..*a Power of Attorney terminates when the principal becomes incapacitated, if the Power of Attorney is not durable*”([§709.2109](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2109.html)) Because [§709.2109](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2109.html) is proscriptive, things work differently in Florida as compared to **California**, where [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html) appears to be non-proscriptive, as discussed under the heading [The Uncertain Territory in California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#the-uncertain-territory-in-california) above. Words like '*the authority conferred shall be exercised notwithstanding the principal's subsequent disability or incapacity*' are required in a durable *Power of Attorney* ([§709.2104](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2104.html)). It follows that in Florida, a *Power of Attorney* that does not include words like '*the authority conferred shall be exercised notwithstanding the principal's subsequent disability or incapacity*' is [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). Having regard to the intracies associated with [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) in **California** and Texas discussed above, it is arguable that the approach taken in Florida through [§709.2102](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2102.html) and [§709.2109](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2109.html) is to be preferred, accepting **California** and Texas also require inclusion of an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent), unlike New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania. #### **New York**, **Illinois & Pennsylvania** [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) expressly provides that a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) is [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) unless it provides otherwise: - [§5-1501A](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501A) in New York states: "*A *Power of Attorney* is durable unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal*" - [§5601.1](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5601-1.html) in Pennsylvania states: “*..unless specifically provided otherwise in the Power of Attorney, all Powers of Attorney shall be durable as provided in [§5604](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5604.html)..*” - [§2-5](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-5.html) in Illinois states: "*Unless the agency states an earlier termination date, the agency continues until the death of the principal, notwithstanding any lapse of time, the principal's disability or incapacity or appointment of a guardian for the principal after the agency is signed*" ##### New York In New York, [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) also provides in respect of a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^9] that “*..a Power of Attorney terminates when the principal becomes incapacitated, if the Power of Attorney is not durable…*” ([§1511](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1511)) > The only reference to the precise term “[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)” in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of New York is in [§5-1504](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1504), being an innocuous refererence in the context of an [enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) that only operates in respect of *Powers of Attorney* cast using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person), being a *Power of Attorney* not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). > > [§5-1504](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1504) states (bold added): > > *"No third party located or doing business in this state shall refuse, without reasonable cause, to honor a statutory short form Power of Attorney properly executed in accordance with section 5-1501B of this title, or a statutory short form Power of Attorney properly executed in accordance with the laws in effect at the time of its execution.* > > *(a) Reasonable cause under this subdivision shall include, but not be limited to:* > > *..(5) actual knowledge of the incapacity of the principal or a reasonable basis for believing that the principal is incapacitated where the Power of Attorney tendered is a **nondurable** Power of Attorney"* > > Both **California** and New York prefer the term "nondurable" as opposed to "non-durable" in their [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) (see [§5-1504](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1504) (**NY**) and [§4155](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4155.html), [§4022](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4022.html) & [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) (**CA**)) whereas the term “[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)” is preferred in this Wiki. ##### **Illinois & Pennsylvania** In Illinois and Pennsylvania:- - [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) makes no reference to [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*, accepting that in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of Pennsylvania there is reference in [§5605](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5605.html) to a *Power of Attorney* "*which is not a durable power*" - [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) effectively provides that a *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) that is not [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) is [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) unless it provides otherwise (see **IL** [§2-5](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-5.html); **PA** [§5601.1](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5601-1.html)) > in Pennsylvania [§5605](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5605.html) states (bold added): > > "..*the disability or incapacity of a principal who has previously executed a written Power of Attorney **which is not a durable power** shall not revoke or terminate the agency as to the agent or other person*.." > > [§5605](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5605.html) merely addresses circumstances where an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) or [third party](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-third-party) is unaware of [incapacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#the-six-6-greater-states-have-defined-incapacity-in-legislation) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), making the reference to a *Power of Attorney* "*which is not a durable power*" somewhat innocuous. > > By contrast, in Illinois there is no reference to concepts like "not durable" or "non-durable" anywhere in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). ## **Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers does not terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity) ### The Exposé The [Exposé](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durability-an-exposé) about [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* on the next page of this Wiki addresses [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-1-general-aspects) and [technical](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#scope-of-analysis) aspects of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* seperately. [General aspects](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-1-general-aspects) deal with:- - history, purpose, social challenges and the global experience - the [ULC approach](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#the-ulc-approach) and the importance of [freedom](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#freedom-of-choice-is-important) in constructing *Power of Attorney* arrangements - whether we need [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) and [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* - reducing problems associated with *Powers of Attorney* [Technical aspects](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#scope-of-analysis) deal with precisely how things work having regard to the minutiae of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons), for example with respect to:- - a *Power of Attorney* not "becoming effective" before the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) etc. (*noting that in Florida for example, a Power of Attorney cannot 'become effective' at a point in time after it is [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney)*) - whether or not an [expression of durable intent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durabletest#expression-of-durable-intent) must be included in a *Power of Attorney* (being a requirement in **California**, Texas and Florida) For the reasons explained in the [Exposé](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durability-an-exposé) which appears on the next page of this Wiki, in this Wiki the following approach to [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* is preferred: ### Durable *Powers of Attorney* In a Nutshell In this Wiki, the following approach to [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* is preferred. > ###### **At Common Law** > > At [common law](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-common-law), the agency relationship and the [agent's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) authority to act are [terminated](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) on the death, bankruptcy or [incapacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#the-six-6-greater-states-have-defined-incapacity-in-legislation) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney).[^10] > > Consequently, to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* that does not [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) on the incapacity of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) is required. > > ###### **Where** > > All of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) have passed [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) recognizing the right of a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney*. > > ###### **Requirements** > > A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* must not be for a purpose that is [excluded](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). > > A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* must comply with certain [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1). > > ###### **Exclusions and Mandatory Requirements** > > Relevant [exclusions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) and [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) are imposed under the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of each of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). > > The [exclusions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) and [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) in any of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) may be the same as or different to the [exclusions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) and [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) in any of the other [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). > > ###### **Legislation** > > In 1954, Virginia, was the first state to allow a *Power of Attorney* to continue beyond the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) incapacity.[^11] > > ###### **Estate Planning Purposes** > > The [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* is most commonly used to handle the affairs of an incapacitated [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) without court supervision. > > ###### **Business Purposes** > > Any [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) undertaking a substantial transaction of any kind, in particular a transaction that might result in a claim for damages in the event the [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) does not fulfil their side of the contract (*i.e. a contract to buy a house, purchase a business etc. sell certain property etc.*) or who engages in these kind of transactions from time to time, would be well placed to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney*. > > If you are entering such a transaction with a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person), you my prefer that the [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) you are doing business with [properly executes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* authorizing an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to complete the transaction on their behalf, if they lose [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). > > ###### **Examples of Designs** > > A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* might authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to act after a certain future date, if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), or upon as the happening of an event, such as a birth or adoption of a first child, marriage or someone's death and thereafter operate if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). > > A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* might authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to act between two dates in the future:- > > - if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) between those two dates, without authorizing the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to act before the earliest of those two dates even if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) > - whether or not the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) between those two dates and authorize the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to act before the earliest of those two dates, if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) earlier in time > > A [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* might for example, authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to act before a certain date whether or not the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) and only after that date if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) has [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), or perhaps only if after that date if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) etc. > > Even a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* that authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) to act if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) raises design considerations, such as considerations for the purpose of determining [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), which might be a matter, for example:- > > - determinable by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) > - requiring a doctor to furnish a report confirming that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) > - be assigned for determination by multiple [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) jointly, or by majority > - [certified](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentcertsaffidavits#verifying-certificates-affidavits) by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) > > There are lots of possible designs, although perhaps using the [simplest design](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#simplest-design) is best, ensuring that where a *Power of Attorney* operates between two future dates, during the period between the two dates, the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) may act whether or not the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), removing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) as an issue in various respects that might otherwise arise, if uncertainty about the [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) could be relevant to the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) affairs under the *Power of Attorney*. > > More sophisticated designs of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Powers of Attorney* for example, might authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) or different [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) to perform different [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature), or certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) differently, depending upon whether the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) has or lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). > > ###### **Simplest Design** > > The simplest design is a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* that authorize an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) to act whether or not the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs), from the moment that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) [properly executes](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) the *Power of Attorney*. > > This simple design substantially removes the need to consider whether or not the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) lacks [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) (other than at the time that the *Power of Attorney* is [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), reducing the possible need to consider medical evidence in the context of a dispute about the *Power of Attorney* and for example, ensuring an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) is always confident that they have authority, without regard to the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs). > > ###### Nuances In The Six (6) Greater States > > Things work differently in the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). > > **Florida** > > Florida has prohibited *Powers of Attorney* that “*become effective*” in the future (see [§2201(1)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2201.html). > > This is interesting because:- > > - Florida does not have a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) which might shed light on the implications of this limitation > - Florida does not appear to prohibit the use of a *Power of Attorney* that is immediately binding upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) and authorizes an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) or different [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) to perform certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) until some future point in time > - a *Power of Attorney* designed to authorise the performance of particular [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) at some future point in time in Florida might usefully include some innocuous [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) in such a *Power of Attorney* that may be performed forthwith upon the *Power of Attorney* being [properly executed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements) by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), making clear that for example, that all other [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#delegation-of-routine-tasks-of-a-financial-legal-or-property-nature) authorized to be performed by an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) or different [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable) under the *Power of Attorney* may only be performed at a later, nominated point in time, to minimise the risk that a poor approach is taken by someone to [§2201(1)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2201.html), which might otherwise compromise the operation of such a *Power of Attorney*. > > **California** to be inserted **Texas** to be inserted **New York** to be inserted **Illinois** to be inserted **Pennsylvania** to be inserted ## **Non-Statutory** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (not a government form) The term “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” is a convenient label to attach to any *Power of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^2] that is **not** [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states), which is the sense in which the term “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” is used in this Wiki. Other approaches to the term “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” might include the term identifying a *Power of Attorney* that is excluded from the ambit of the legislation, that is, not governed by [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). The latter approach is not common. The notion of a “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” *Power of Attorney* as a *Power of Attorney* not [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) accords with the definition of “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney"* in [§5-1501](https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/general-obligations-law/gob-sect-5-1501.html) in New York. ### Definition of "Non-Statutory" In New York In [§5-1501](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501), the term “non-statutory *Power of Attorney*” is defined in New York as follows: *"Non-statutory power of attorney” means a power of attorney that is not a statutory short form power of attorney"* ### California, Texas and Illinois In, **California**, Texas and Illinois, the term “non-statutory *Power of Attorney*” is not defined in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). ### Florida and Pennsylvania In Florida and Pennsylvania there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states), rendering the term [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) redundant. ## **Statutory** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a government form) ### A “Statutory” *Power of Attorney* Is Created By A Person Using A Government Form The term “[statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” refers to **a** ***Power of Attorney*** [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il). A [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is available in **California** ([§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html)) Texas ([§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-051.html)) New York ([§1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513)) and Illinois ([§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html)). The term “[statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” is used in the titles given to [government forms](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) in **California**, Texas, New York and Illinois. A [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” *Power of Attorney* may only be used by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person). In some circles, the term “[statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” might be said to be a *Power of Attorney* that is governed by [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). The term “statutory” is not used in this manner in this Wiki. ### **In Florida And Pennsylvania, There Is No Government Form** In Florida and Pennsylvania:- - the term ‘[statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)’ is non-sensical because there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-work-differently-in-different-states) contained in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) is available in respect of both [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* ### **In California, Texas and Illinois, Government Forms Are Not Particularly Significant** In **California**:- - a government form is included in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) (see [§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html)) that may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - the only difference between using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or using a [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is the ability to include [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) by reference in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) (see [§4450](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4450.html) to [§4463](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4463.html)) In Texas:- - a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is included in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) ([§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-051.html)) that may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - there is no significant difference between using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) design of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney :-* - the [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) may be included by mere reference in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or a [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) is available where a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is used, whether or not a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) kind of [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is used - there is no [enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) available in respect of [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* In Illinois:- - a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is included in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) ([§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html)) that may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states) is not available - the only difference between using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) or using a [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is the ability to include [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) by reference in a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) (see [§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html)) ### In New York Using The Government Form Has More Consequences In New York:- - the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) (contained in [§1513](https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/general-obligations-law/gob-sect-5-1513.html)) may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - unless the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is used, the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#who-is-the-principal) cannot:- - access a [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#third-party-enforcement-regime), which exclusively operates where the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is used - include the [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) by mere reference ### Statutory Durable *Power of Attorney* Is A Term Best Suited For Texas The term *Statutory Durable Power of Attorney* is perhaps more appropriately used in states like Texas where a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is only available to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* ([§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-051.html)). By contrast, in **California**, New York and Illinois a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may be used for [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) purposes. ### Statutory Non-Durable *Powers of Attorney* Exist The [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) available in **California**, New York and Illinois may be used for [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) purposes. ### Nuance in California, Texas, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing *Powers of Attorney* for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person)[^4] adds nuances to the [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states), for example:- - in **California**, [§4262](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4262.html) expressly entitles an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to do anything “*incidental, necessary, or proper to carry out the granted authority*” the [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) they are expressly authorized to perform in a *Power of Attorney*, being words which travel outside the scope of [‘statutory’ task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) and go to any and all [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is authorized to perform - in Texas, [§752.101(11)](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-101.html) entitles an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform any other [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) falling within the scope of the fourteen (14) tasks set out in [Subchapter C](https://law.justia.com/codes/texas/2019/estates-code/title-2/subtitle-p/chapter-752/subchapter-c/) and also by virtue of [§752.101(11)](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-101.html) “*in general, perform any other lawful act that the principal may perform with respect to the transaction*”' - in Illinois, [§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html) and in New York [§5-1502N](https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/general-obligations-law/gob-sect-5-1502n.html) prescribe additional ‘catch-all’ tasks covering matters not forming part of one of the specific [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states), albeit the scope of [§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html) which speaks of "*all other property transactions*.." said to refer to "..*all possible authority of the principal with respect to all possible types of property and interests in property..* seems more confined than [§5-1502N](https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/general-obligations-law/gob-sect-5-1502n.html) which speaks of authority to perform "*all other matters*" said to "..*be construed to mean that the principal authorizes the agent to act as an alter ego of the principal with respect to any and all possible matters and affairs which are not enumerated in sections 5-1502A to 5-1502M, inclusive, of this title, and which the principal can do through an agent*.." In Pennsylvania, a 'broadening authority' is included in respect of specific statutory tasks (see [an example re §5603](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#example-of-statutory-task)). ## Useful References (Statutory Non-Durable *Powers of Attorney*) ### California [Division 4.5](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2016/code-prob/division-4.5/part-3/) governs statutory *Powers of Attorney* in **California**. [§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html) contains the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il), known as a UNIFORM STATUTORY FORM POWER OF ATTORNEY and referred to in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) as a “statutory form *Powers of Attorney* under Part 3” (see for example, [§4100](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4100.html)) which may be [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) or [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney). ### New York In New York [§5-1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513) contains the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il). [§5-1501](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501) provides: *"Statutory short form Power of Attorney" means a Power of Attorney that meets the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subdivision one of* [§5-1501B](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501B) *of this title, and that substantially conforms to the wording of the form set forth in* [§5-1513](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1513) *of this title..."* A Statutory short form *Power of Attorney* may be [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney). ### Texas In Texas a *Statutory Durable Power of Attorney* may be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) using a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) ([§752.051](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-051.html)). A [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) cannot be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. ### Illinois The statutory form for Illinois is found in [§3-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-3.html), being known as a *Statutory Shortform Power of Attorney for Property.* A *Statutory Shortform Power of Attorney for Property.* can be used for [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) purposes. ### Pennsylvania & Florida Pennsylvania and Florida offer no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney*. ## **Non-Statutory Non-Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity - not a government form) Taking into account the explanations of “[non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney)” and "[non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney)" above, the term ‘[non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney)' refers to a *Power of Attorney* that:- - is [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **without using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) - is **not preferred by the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **to** [**terminate**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) **immediately upon the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **losing** [**capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) The term [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) draws upon two concepts only relevant to [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and consequently, it might be said that a [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may only be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person). Anyone seeking to understand what a [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is should familiarize themselves with the meaning of these terms [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), because an understanding of all of these concepts is necessary to understand the meaning of the term [non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney). #### Florida & Pennsylvania There is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) contained in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of Florida and Pennsylvania. For this reason, the term ‘[non-statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney)’ is something of a nonsense in Florida* and Pennsylvania. Every [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a ‘non-statutory’ *Power of Attorney*. #### Texas Texas has not passed [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney.* The absence of [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* and absence of a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in **Texas** might be viewed quizzically by the other five (5) of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa). On one view, Texas is the first state to question the need for [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*, perhaps because it is arguable in Texas that a *Power of Attorney* that [terminates](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) may be cast as a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* (*in particular where a preference and intention that the Power of Attorney operate according to its terms, beyond any point that the* [*principal*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) *loses* [*capacity*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs)*, is expressed in the Power of Attorney, the focus of the test being the* [*principal's*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) *intention in this respect, not the terms of the Power of Attorney themselves, so to speak*) in which event, there is little need perhaps to recognize [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney,* a person in Texas being able to cast a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* if they wish, for example to take advantage (in Texas) of the [third party enforcement regime](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/thirdparty/interests#a-third-party-enforcement-regime-operates-in-five-of-the-six-6-greater-states). This concept is discussed more under the heading [Do We Really Need Durable & Non-Durable *Powers of Attorney*?](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#do-we-really-need-durable-and-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) #### New York, California and Illinois In New York, **California** and Illinois, a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) dealing with [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney.* ## **Non-Statutory Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers does not terminate if the principal lacks capacity - not a government form) The term ‘[non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney)' refers to a *Power of Attorney* that:- - is [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **without using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) - **is a** [**durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) ***Power of Attorney*** - in **California**, Texas and Florida, states that it does not [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) or perhaps **is “unaffected” by the** [**principal's**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **loss of** [**capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) or similarly indicates that it will continue to operate if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) ([§4018](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4018.html) & [§4124](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4124.html) **CA**, [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html) **TX**, [§709.2104](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2104.html)) **FL** (*there being no similar requirement for inclusion of an* [*expression of durable intent*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#statutory-expressions-of-durable-preference-in-california-texas-florida) *in New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania) - satisfies all requirements as to [witnessing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements), [compulsory content](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements), font size and other matters recorded in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - is not for an [excluded purpose](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) The term [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) draws upon two concepts only relevant to [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and consequently, it might be said that a [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may only be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person). Anyone seeking to understand what a [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is should familiarize themselves with the meaning of these terms [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), because an understanding of all of these concepts is necessary to understand the meaning of the term [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney). #### Florida & Pennsylvania In Florida and Pennsylvania the term ‘[non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney)’ is something of a nonsense, because in Florida and Pennsylvania there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) and so, every [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a ‘non-statutory’ *Power of Attorney*). #### New York, California and Illinois In New York, **California** and Illinois, a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) dealing with [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* and the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney.* Use of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) in New York and **California** has [more significance](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-california-and-new-york). In Illinois, if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) wants to include any of the [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) in a [non-statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* they will need to recite them verbatim in their *Power of Attorney* noting[§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html) provides:- *Explanation of powers granted in the statutory short form power of attorney for property* *This Section defines each category of powers listed in the statutory short form power of attorney for property and the effect of granting powers to an agent, and is incorporated by reference into the statutory short form.  Incorporation by reference does not require physical attachment of a copy of this Section 3-4 to the statutory short form power of attorney for property.  When the title of any of the following categories is retained (not struck out) in a statutory property power form, the effect will be to grant the agent all of the principal's rights, powers and discretions with respect to the types of property and transactions covered by the retained category, subject to any limitations on the granted powers that appear on the face of the form..*” [§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html) #### Texas [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html) requires inclusion of certain words:- *An instrument is a durable power of attorney for purposes of this subtitle if the instrument..* *(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 clearly indicate that the authority conferred on the agent shall be exercised notwithstanding the principal's subsequent disability or incapacity..* ## **Statutory Non-Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity - created using a government form) The term ‘[statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney)' refers to a *Power of Attorney* that:- - is [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) - is **not preferred by the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **to** [**terminate**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) **immediately upon the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **losing** [**capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) The term [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) draws upon two concepts only relevant to [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and consequently, it might be said that a [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may only be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person). Anyone seeking to understand what a [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is should familiarize themselves with the meaning of these terms [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), because an understanding of all of these concepts is necessary to understand the meaning of the term [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney). Because Texas has not passed [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*, there can be no such thing as a [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* in **Texas**. #### Florida & Pennsylvania In Florida and Pennsylvania the term ‘[statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney)’ is a nonsense, because in Florida and Pennsylvania there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) and so, every [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a ‘non-statutory’ *Power of Attorney*. #### Texas Texas has not passed [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. It follows that there can be no such thing as a [statutory non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* in Texas. #### New York, California and Illinois In New York, **California** and Illinois, [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) deals with both [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* largely if not completely together. Consistent with this approach, the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) either a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney.* ## **Statutory Durable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (a *Power of Attorney* that the principal prefers does not terminate immediately upon the principal losing capacity - created using a government form) The term ‘[statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney)' refers to a *Power of Attorney* that:- - is [**created**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) **using a** [**government form**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) - **is a** [**durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) ***Power of Attorney*** - in **California**, Texas and Florida, might state that it does not [terminate](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) losing [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) or perhaps **is “unaffected” by the** [**principal's**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) **loss of** [**capacity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) or similarly indicates that it will continue to operate if the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) loses [capacity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/capacitytexas#capacity-refers-to-ability-to-manage-ones-own-affairs) ([§4018](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4018.html) & [§4124](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4124.html), [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html), [§709.2104](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2104.html)) (*there being no similar requirement for inclusion of an* [*expression of durable intent*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#statutory-expressions-of-durable-preference-in-california-texas-florida) *in New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania) - satisfies all requirements as to [witnessing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements), [compulsory content](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements), font size and other matters recorded in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - is not for an [excluded purpose](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) The term [statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) draws upon two concepts only relevant to [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and consequently, it might be said that a [statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may only be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person). Anyone seeking to understand what a [statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is should familiarize themselves with the meaning of these terms [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney) and [non-statutory](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-statutory-powers-of-attorney), because an understanding of all of these concepts is necessary to understand the meaning of the term [statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney). #### California [§4401](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4401.html) contains the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il), known as a UNIFORM STATUTORY FORM POWER OF ATTORNEY and referred to in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) as a “statutory form *Powers of Attorney* under Part 3” (see for example, [§4100](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4100.html)) which may be [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) or [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney). #### New York and Illinois In New York and Illinois (similar to **California**):- - a [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) is contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) dealing with [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* - the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) may be used to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) or [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* Use of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) has [more significance](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-california-and-new-york) in **New York**. #### Florida & Pennsylvania In Florida and Pennsylvania the term ‘[statutory durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#statutory-non-durable-powers-of-attorney)’ is a nonsense, because in Florida and Pennsylvania there is no [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) contained in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) and so, every [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a ‘non-statutory’ *Power of Attorney*. #### Texas [§751.0021](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0021.html) requires inclusion of certain words:- *"An instrument is a durable power of attorney for purposes of this subtitle if the instrument..* *(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 clearly indicate that the authority conferred on the agent shall be exercised notwithstanding the principal's subsequent disability or incapacity.."* ## **Commercial** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (for commercial purposes) The term ‘[commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial)’ *Power of Attorney* refers to a *Power of Attorney* **authorizing the performance of** [**commercial tasks**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks). This term differentiates *Powers of Attorney* for ‘[commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial)’ from certain kinds of *Power of Attorney* in **California**, Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania[^3] that may be used for [non-commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-non-commercial) purposes. ### Unique Options In California & Florida In **California** and Florida there is potential to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a *Power of Attorney* for [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial) and certain, specific [non-commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-non-commercial) purposes which is not possible in the remaining four (4) of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) ([*click here*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatisapoa#california-and-florida-have-substantially-commercial-powers-of-attorney) *to read more information*). ## **Military** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (for military personnel) A [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is any *Power of Attorney* that is **executed by a military person and witnessed by a member of a certain class of military personnel in accordance with** [**§1044a**](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044a.html). Pursuant to [§1044a](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044a.html), suitable witnesses include:- - judge advocates (i.e. military judge) - [adjutants](https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a587790.pdf) (i.e. military staff officer) - all members of the armed forces and other persons determined by regulation have the powers of a notary public and consul of the United States for the purpose of notarizing any act of a member of the armed forces (and some other related personnel) In a [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney,* the signature of a suitable witness, together with the title of that person's office is prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine, that the person holds the designated title, and that the person is authorized to perform a notarial act ([§1044a(d)](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044a.html)). A [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is arguably the most powerful type of *Power of Attorney* in the United States because it is by virtue of [§1044b](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044b.html):- - exempt from any requirement of form, substance, formality, or recording that is provided for powers of attorney under the laws of a state;  and - given the same legal effect as a *Power of Attorney* prepared and executed in accordance with the laws of the state concerned. This means that any [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, that is any *Power of Attorney* notarized in accordance with [§1044a](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044a.html) (i.e. any *Power of Attorney* notarized by a suitable witness) does not need to comply with [mandatory requirements](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#mandatory-requirements-1) imposed under state law regarding [font size](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#font-size-requirements), [witnessing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#witnessing-acknowledgement-requirements), inclusion of [mandatory notices](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#required-notices) and similar. Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania make express reference to [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* in their [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) dealing with *Powers of Attorney.* In Florida [§709.2106](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2106.html) provides: *“A military power of attorney is valid if it is executed in accordance with* [*§1044b*](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-10-armed-forces/10-usc-sect-1044b.html)*, as amended.  A deployment-contingent power of attorney may be signed in advance, is effective upon the deployment of the principal, and shall be afforded full force and effect by the courts of this state.”* Both Pennsylvania and Texas affirm the validity of [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* in their [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons): [§5611(2)](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5611.html);[§751.0023](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-0023.html) The use of [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* raises interesting questions, as illustrated in the [Case Study - Military Powers of Attorney Raise Interesting Questions](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/casestudies#case-study-military-powers-of-attorney-raise-interesting-questions). #### Non-Military *Powers of Attorney* The term “[non-military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-military-powers-of-attorney)” is used to refer to any *Power of Attorney* that is not a [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. In practical terms, a [non-military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is any *Power of Attorney* not witnessed by a military person. ## **Legislative** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (referred to in federal or state legislation) The term ‘[legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#legislative-powers-of-attorney)’ *Power of Attorney* is used in this Wiki to refer to **a** ***Power of Attorney*** **that is in contemplated in legislation**. #### References to Use by Commercial Entities Legislation at state and federal level refers to use of *Powers of Attorney* by [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity). For example:- - permitting filing a *Power of Attorney* by a corporation when dealing with bail bonds in Texas ([§1704.211](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/occupations-code/occ-sect-1704-211.html)[§17.07](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/code-of-criminal-procedure/crim-ptx-crim-pro-art-17-07.html)) - use by a trustee delegating real property transactions in Texas ([§113.018](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/property-code/prop-sect-113-018.html)) - use by surety corporations under federal law ([Title 31, §9306](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-31-money-and-finance/31-usc-sect-9306.html)) - use by corporations in Georgia ([§10-6-2](https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-10-commerce-and-trade/ga-code-sect-10-6-2.html)) - use by surety insurers in **California** ([§26855.1](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/government-code/gov-sect-26855-1.html)) being corporations ([§995.120](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/code-of-civil-procedure/ccp-sect-995-120.html)) - by members of a limited liability company in **California** ([§17704.10(d)](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/corporations-code/corp-sect-17704-10.html)) #### Other Contexts State legislation also recognizes the use of *Powers of Attorney* in other contexts. In Texas, for example:- - prevention of a foreclosure consultant taking a *Power of Attorney* from a homeowner in **Texas** ([§21.102](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/business-and-commerce-code/bus-com-sect-21-102.html)) - in the context of executing a partnership agreement in **Texas** ([§153.553](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/business-organizations-code/bus-org-sect-153-553.html)) #### Federal Code Under the US Code, *Powers of Attorney* can be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings), for example:- - by accredited agents of China Trade Act corporations and foreign accounting firms (Title 15, [§160](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-15-commerce-and-trade/15-usc-sect-160.html) & [§7216](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-15-commerce-and-trade/15-usc-sect-7216.html)) - by students studying overseas ([Title 20 §1078](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-20-education/20-usc-sect-1078.html)) - for revenue purposes ([Title 26 §7521](https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-26-internal-revenue-code/26-usc-sect-7521.html)) #### Non-Legislative *Powers of Attorney* The term “[non-legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-legislative-powers-of-attorney)” is used to refer to any *Power of Attorney* that is not [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) in the context of a statute of the kind explained above with respect to [legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#legislative-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. ## **Contractual** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (contained in a contract) A ‘[contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney’* **forms part of a contract with a wider purpose**. Typically, [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* are often found in [legal instruments](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-instrument) for [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial) purposes, where one party seeks the ability to do something on behalf of the other party in the event of default. #### Examples In *Grimes v. Enterprise Leasing Co. of Philadelphia, LLC*, [629 Pa. 457, 105 A.3d 1188 (2014)](https://cite.case.law/pa/629/457/) the Court considered a contract that: "..*set forth formulas for calculating the loss-of-use and diminishment-in-value fees. It also contained a power-of-attorney clause allowing Enterprise to request payment for any unpaid “claims, damages, liabilities, or rental charges” directly from Appellee’s insurance carrier or credit card company*.." #### Common Features *Powers of Attorney* included in contracts are invariably related to the subject matter of the contract. For example, within a loan contract that includes basic terms of the loan such as the loan sum, interest rate and similar and yet, also includes a clause that grants a *Power of Attorney* by one party to another, authorizing the lender to perform certain tasks as [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) on behalf of the borrower in the event of default in repaying the loan) #### Issues With Enforceability Any clause creating a contractual *Power of Attorney* may or may not be enforceable, having regard to the need to comply with requirements applicable to a *Power of Attorney*. For example, a [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* might not be effective in Florida unless the *Power of Attorney* complied with requirements for any *Power of Attorney* [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) must be signed by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) and two witnesses and acknowledged before a notably public ([§709.2105(2)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2105.html)), unless it is for an [excluded purpose](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions). #### Issues With Disclosure A party considering the inclusion of a *Power of Attorney* in a sensitive commercial contract may want to consider the implications of the contents of the contract becoming known to the public. If the *Power of Attorney*, is to be relied upon to perform certain real property transactions it must be recorded (i.e. [filed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/requirements#requirements-for-filing-purposes)) before it may be relied upon for this purpose (*see for example:* [*§4128*](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4128.html) *in **California**;* [*§751.151*](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-151.html) *&* [*§12.016*](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2105.html) *in **Texas**;* [*§709.2106*](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2106.html) *in **Florida**; and* [*§5602(c)*](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5602.html) *in Pennsylvania*, *noting many other kinds of Powers of Attorney may need to be lodged with government agencies, such as Powers of Attorney relating to execution of bail bonds in Texas (*[*§1704.211*](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/occupations-code/occ-sect-1704-211.html)*) etc.*). #### Non-Contractual *Power of Attorney* The term “[non-contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-contractual-power-of-attorney)” is used to refer to any *Power of Attorney* that is not a [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. In practical terms, a [non-contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-contractual-power-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is any *Power of Attorney* not found in a contract being a contract that is substantially for other purposes. ## **Oral** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (created using spoken words) The term “oral” refers to a *Power of Attorney* **created via oral communication only**, without the making of a physical record. The use of orally created *Powers of Attorney* is neither common or usual. The use of orally created *Powers of Attorney* creates problems in terms of readily establishing the terms of the *Power of Attorney* and similar. It is generally preferable to record any *Power of Attorney* in writing so as to ensure that an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) has a physical copy, capable of being presented to a [third party](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-third-party). Some kinds of *Powers of Attorney* cannot be created using oral communication, for example because:- - they must be recorded (i.e. filed with a Court or government agency) under either state or federal law (*see for example:* [*§4128*](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4128.html) *in **California**;* [*§751.151*](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-151.html) *&* [*§12.016*](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2105.html) *in Texas;* [*§709.2106*](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2106.html) *in Florida; and* [*§5602(c)*](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5602.html) *in Pennsylvania*, *noting many other kinds of Powers of Attorney may need to be lodged with government agencies, such as Powers of Attorney relating to execution of bail bonds in Texas (*[*§1704.211*](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/occupations-code/occ-sect-1704-211.html)*) etc.*) - they are are subject to specific legislative requirements which preclude their oral creation such as requirements relating to [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*, which typically must be recorded in writing Interestingly, a [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be excepted from any requirement to be in writing and so for example, a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney), [military](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#military-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* might be capable of being created orally. ## **Irrevocable** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (cannot be revoked by the principal) An [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a *Power of Attorney* that **cannot be** [**revoked**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal) **by the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney). An [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* acquires its [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) quality by virtue of the inclusion of provision in the *Power of Attorney* to the effect that the *Power of Attorney* **cannot be revoked by the** [**principal**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney). An [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* may be expressed to be [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) in a qualified sense. For example, a *Power of Attorney* might provide that it is [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney), unless a particular party consent to its [revocation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal). #### Agent Not Required To Act In Principal's Best Interests Under most *Powers of Attorney* the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is expected to act in the [principal's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power) best interests. This is not the case with an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. #### May or May Not Be Exclusive An [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* may or may not be exclusive to the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal). That is, the entitle of the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power) to perform the delegated [task(s)](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) for themselves is typically assumed in a *Power of Attorney*, however sometimes an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* may be given with intention the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power) be excluded from performing the delegated [task(s)](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) for themselves. Obligations going to these issues may for example, be dealt with in a separate agreement, governing the terms for use of the *Power of Attorney*, or in the *Power of Attorney* itself. #### Example For example, power to execute a transfer secured property might be given to a security holder (such as a mortgagee) which is only effective if a loan is not repaid on time, being a power the borrower agrees not to exercise in any event without the consent of the lender, so that the lender is confident the property will remain in the possession of the borrower and the lender if unpaid, can effect the transfer of the property to themselves or someone else, if the loan is unpaid. #### More Examples of Common Uses An [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* might be used for example, where monies are lent and the lender wishes to acquire the authority to perform certain transactions on behalf of the borrower, if the loan is not repaid. A bank financing the purchase of a property might require the borrower to execute an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* permitting the bank to execute on behalf of the borrower, all documents necessary to effect a transfer of the property from the borrower to the bank, if the loan is not repaid. Arrangements involving an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* are often sophisticated and require considerably more terms to be entered between the parties, that is written terms other than those recording the [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*) to deal with associated issues, being issues about which a lawyer would typically advise with the benefit of specific information regarding the contemplated transaction. This is particularly the case where the [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* forms part of a contract, so as to be a [contractual](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#contractual-powers-of-attorney), [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney.* #### Exclusion From Ambit Of Legislation In Illinois, [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* are excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons).[^12] [Legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) in **Texas** governing [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* is silent on the issue. [Irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* may also be excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) in other states. #### Commercial Entities There is nothing that prevents a limited liability corporation ([LLC](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-llc)) or partnership ([LLP](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-llp)) from [creating](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) an [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney.* In Texas for example, [§101.055](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/business-organizations-code/bus-org-sect-101-055.html) in **Texas** recognizes [irrevocable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#irrevocable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* for [LLC's](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-llc). ## **General** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (authorizing performance of any task) INSERT RE ANYTHING AUTH TO DO IN WRITING - AS A MODIFIED VERSION FOR NON-STAT POA In most states, a *Power of Attorney* may be [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) for specific purposes or for general purposes. ‘[General](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney)’ refers to **a grant of authority by a** [**person**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) **that enables another** [**person**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) **or** [**legal entity**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-entity) **to manage the entirety of their** [**commercial**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial) **affairs** The term ‘[general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney’* is effectively redundant in Florida, because the [creation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) of a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is prohibited (see [§2201(1)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2201.html)). In **California** for example, [§4261](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4261.html) provides:- "..*If a Power of Attorney grants general authority to an attorney-in-fact and is not limited to one or more express actions, subjects, or purposes for which general authority is conferred, the attorney-in-fact has all the authority to act that a person having the capacity to contract may carry out through an attorney-in-fact specifically authorized to take the action*.." > **Useful Extracts from the California Law Revision Commission Report** > > The [1994 California Law Revision Commission Report](http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Printed-Reports/Pub181.pdf) which led to enactment of [Division 4.5 of the Probate Code](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=PROB&division=4.5.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=&nodetreepath=6) stated in respect of [§4261](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4261.html): > > "..*Section 4261 is new and provides for the broadest possible authority in a general power of attorney. For specific limitations applicable to this section, see Sections 4264 (authority that must be specifically authorized), 4265 (actions that may not be taken by an attorney-in-fact).."* > > In respect of use of the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il) the [1994 California Law Revision Commission Report](http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Printed-Reports/Pub181.pdf) stated: > > "*If it is desired to give the agent the broadest possible powers, language similar to the following can be added under the “Special Instructions” portion of the form*: > > *In addition to all of the powers listed in lines (A) to (M) above, I grant to my agent full power and authority to act for me, in any way which I myself could act if I were personally present and able to act, with respect to all other matters and affairs not listed in lines (A) to (M) above, but this authority does not include authority to make health care decisions.*"" ### Generalizing Terms In Conjunction With Statutory Tasks There is potential for debate in each of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) as to whether expansive language used in conjunction with various [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) operates to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney-authorizing-performance-of-any-task) *Power of Attorney.* If all [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) are included in a *Power of Attorney* does this [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney-authorizing-performance-of-any-task) *Power of Attorney?* - arguments in favour of a positive conclusion to this question might be easier to raise in states like New York [§5-1502N](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1502N) and Illinois, [§3-4](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-3-4.html) where a ‘catch-all’[‘statutory’ task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) is included in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - equally for example, the argument may be better in states like **California**, Texas and Pennsylvania where each [statutory’ task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) includes some general expression, such as:- - in Pennsylvania, authority in respect of a specific [statutory’ task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) typically includes general authority to ‘*exercise all powers*’ or similar with respect to the given [statutory’ task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) - **California**, [§4262](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4262.html) expressly entitles an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to do anything “*incidental, necessary, or proper to carry out*” the [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) they are expressly authorized to perform in a *Power of Attorney* - in Texas, [§752.101(11)](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-101.html) entitles an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to perform any other [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) falling within the scope of the 14 tasks set out in [Subchapter C](https://law.justia.com/codes/texas/2019/estates-code/title-2/subtitle-p/chapter-752/subchapter-c/) and also by virtue of [§752.101(11)](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-752-101.html)includes authority to “*in general, perform any other lawful act that the principal may perform with respect to the transaction*”' As illustrated above, in New York and Illinois a ‘catch-all’ class of [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) if included with all other ['statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) seeming somewhat akin to a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney-authorizing-performance-of-any-task) *Power of Attorney.* Less so it seems in **California**, **Texas** and **Pennsylvania**, where the absence of a ‘catch-all’ class seems to leave some scope that some [commercial tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) may be omitted because where all ['statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks) are authorized to be performed, there may be scope for [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) that fall outside the ['statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#four-of-the-six-6-greater-states-have-legislation-including-statutory-tasks). For example, where in the [‘statutory’ tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#statutory-tasks-are-contained-in-the-legislation-of-many-states) do we find reference to cryptocurrency? ### Commercial Entities Whether a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) can grant a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney-authorizing-performance-of-any-task) *Power of Attorney* is a question suitable for answer by a lawyer with expertise in the area of governance of [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity). In favour of the ability to make such grants would be the ordinary principles in favour of freedom of [persons](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) and [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) constructing their [commercial](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial) affairs however they see fit. Against the making of such grants may be public interest, in avoiding the comprehensive delegation of all authority by a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) to another [legal entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legal-entity), which may be reflected in legislation. #### REFERENCES [§4123](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4123.html) states: *(a) In a power of attorney under this division, a principal may grant authority to an attorney-in-fact to act on the principal's behalf with respect to all lawful subjects and purposes or with respect to one or more express subjects or purposes.* [§4261](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4261.html) states: *If a power of attorney grants general authority to an attorney-in-fact and is not limited to one or more express actions, subjects, or purposes for which general authority is conferred, the attorney-in-fact has all the authority to act that a person having the capacity to contract may carry out through an attorney-in-fact specifically authorized to take the action.* ##### Texas In respect of a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney,* [§751.031](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-031.html) states: *(a) Subject to Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and Section* [*§751.032*](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-032.html)*, if a durable power of attorney grants to an agent the authority to perform all acts that the principal could perform, the agent has the general authority conferred by Subchapter C, Chapter* [752](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.752.htm)*.* ##### New York [Legislative](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) provision of the kind seen in **California** for example that specifically recognizes the right to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is not included in the legislation of New York. That said, there are references in the legislation to general grants, for example in [§5-1514](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1514). ##### Florida In Florida, [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney* are prohibited: [§2201(1)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2201.html) ##### Illinois In **Illinois**, no specific reference is made in legislation to [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) grants, however [§2-1](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-1.html) says:- *the principal may specify in the agency the event or time when the agency will begin and terminate, the mode of revocation or amendment and the rights, powers, duties, limitations, immunities and other terms applicable to the agent and to all persons dealing with the agent, and the provisions of the agency will control notwithstanding this Act..* ##### Pennsylvania [§5601.4](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5601-4.html) states:- *(c) Scope of authority. Subject to subsections (a), (b), (d), (d.1) and (e), if a Power of Attorney grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal is authorized to perform, the agent has all of the powers which may be incorporated by reference pursuant to section* [§5602(a)](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5602.html)*.* ## **Limited, Special And Specific** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (limited term, authorizing performance of specific tasks etc.) Terms like [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) or [specific](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) might be used to refer to a *Power of Attorney* that:- - only authorizes an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to be appointed for a **fixed** [**term of appointment**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) - operates for a **fixed** [**term**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) (*for example, where a Power of Attorney [commences](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) and* [*terminates*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) *on two particular dates*) - only authorizes an [**agent**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) **or** [**agents**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) **to perform certain, specified** [**tasks**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) (*i.e. less than a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) grant of authority*) There are no universally recognized meanings for the terms limited, special and specific, although for example, it might be said that the terms 'special' and 'specific' both seem to relate well to the last of the examples above. In **California** for example, [§4262](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4261.html) provides:- "..*if a Power of Attorney grants limited authority to an attorney-in-fact, the attorney-in-fact has the following authority:* *(a) The authority granted in the Power of Attorney, as limited with respect to permissible actions, subjects, or purposes.* *(b) The authority incidental, necessary, or proper to carry out the granted authority.."* #### REFERENCES ##### California [§4123](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4123.html) states: *(a) In a power of attorney under this division, a principal may grant authority to an attorney-in-fact to act on the principal's behalf with respect to all lawful subjects and purposes or with respect to one or more express subjects or purposes.* ##### Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois & Pennsylvania In **Texas**, New York, **Florida**, **Illinois** & **Pennsylvania** no specific reference is made in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) to [limited](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney), [special](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) or [specific](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#limited-special-and-specific-powers-of-attorney) grants of authority, however in **Illinois** [§2-1](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-1.html) says:- *“the principal may specify in the agency the event or time when the agency will begin and terminate, the mode of revocation or amendment and the rights, powers, duties, limitations, immunities and other terms applicable to the agent and to all persons dealing with the agent, and the provisions of the agency will control notwithstanding this Act..”* ## **Springing** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (not immediately binding upon the principal upon being properly executed by the principal) ### The Terms "*become effective*", "*becoming effective*" & Similar Explain about these *Power of Attorney* In **California**, the definition of the term [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* makes it easier to discuss. [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) in **California** provides: *“Springing power of attorney” means a power of attorney that by its terms becomes effective at a specified future time or on the occurrence of a specified future event or contingency, including, but not limited to, the subsequent incapacity of the principal.  A springing power of attorney may be a durable power of attorney or a nondurable power of attorney.*([§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html)) **California** is the only one of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) state to define a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* in its [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). Subject perhaps to a tacit understanding that the words “*becomes effective*” in [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) be read to mean “*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)”, the definition of the term “[springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney)” in [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) in **California**, is strong start to defining a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. > **A Useful Extract from the California Law Revision Commission Report** > > The [1994 California Law Revision Commission Report](http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Printed-Reports/Pub181.pdf) which led to enactment of [Division 4.5 of the Probate Code](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=PROB&division=4.5.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=&nodetreepath=6) stated in respect of [§4129](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4129.html): > > "..*Section 4129 continues former Civil Code Section 2514(b)-(e) without substantive change. This section is intended to make springing powers of attorney more effective by providing a mechanism for conclusively determining that the triggering event or contingency has occurred. See Section 4030 (“springing power of attorney” defined). Subdivision (a) makes clear that the principal may give the agent (or one or more other persons) the power to determine by written declaration under penalty of perjury that the event or contingency specified in the springing power of attorney has occurred so that the power of attorney is effective. This section does not apply to or affect springing powers of attorney containing different procedures for determining whether the triggering event or contingency has occurred. This section applies only where the terms of subdivision (a) are satisfied.* > > *Subdivision (b) makes clear that the written declaration of the persons designated in the power of attorney is conclusive, even though it may turn out that the event or contingency did not occur, or that circumstances have returned to normal. The purpose of the conclusive written declaration is to permit other persons to act in reliance on the written declaration without liability.* > > *A springing power of attorney may or may not be a durable power of attorney. A springing power that takes effect on the occurrence of a contingency other than the incapacity of the principal (such as, for example, the principal’s failure to return from a vacation or business trip by a certain date) need not be a durable power of attorney. However, a springing power of attorney that takes effect upon the incapacity of the principal is necessarily a durable power of attorney, and the other rules concerning durable powers of attorney are applicable."* > > This is discussed further under the heading [Verifying Certificates & Affidavits](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentcertsaffidavits#verifying-certificates-affidavits). > > The [1994 California Law Revision Commission Report](http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Printed-Reports/Pub181.pdf) also provides in respect of [§4405](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4405.html) relating to the [government form](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/governmentforms#government-forms-in-ca-tx-ny-il): > > *Section 4405 continues former Civil Code Section 2479 without substantive change. Section 4405 is not found in the Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney Act (1988). This section is drawn from Section 5-1602 of the New York General Obligations Law. A provision described in subdivision (a) protects a third person who relies on the declaration under penalty of perjury of the person or persons designated in the Power of Attorney that the specified event or contingency has occurred. The principal may designate the agent or another person, or several persons, to make this declaration.* > > *Subdivision (d) makes clear that subdivisions (a) and (b) are not the exclusive method for creating a “springing power” (a Power of Attorney that goes into effect upon the occurrence of a specified event or contingency). The principal is free to set forth in a Power of Attorney under this part any provision the principal desires to provide for the method of determining whether the specified event or contingency has occurred. For example, the principal may provide that his or her “incapacity” be determined by a court under Part 5 (commencing with Section 4900). See Section 4941(a). If the Power of Attorney provides only that it shall become effective “upon the incapacity of the principal,” the determination whether the Power of Attorney is in effect also may be made under Part 5 (commencing with Section 4900)."* ### The Californian Definition ### A Word About Florida The approach suggested above is only more appealing given that Florida is the only other one of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) that speaks in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of *Powers of Attorney* "*becoming effective*” and this approach is consistent with a similar approach in **Florida**. [§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”.* ### Merits of Prohibition in Florida There are potentially stable reasons to accept the approach in Florida is tenable. There may be justification for preferring to deny a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) the ability to construct a *Power of Attorney* in terms that mean it only 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), in the future. It might be borne in mind that in practical terms, there is nothing to prevent a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) specifying in a *Power of Attorney* that tasks may only be performed by agents after a certain point in time in the future and yet, ensuring it is made clear that the *Power of Attorney* is to become [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), immediately (*i.e. 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)). What is at stake is a *Power of Attorney* that is intended to have no legal effect whatsoever, despite potentially 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). The status of a document that is said to have no legal effect until some future point in time presents difficult issues. For example:- - whatever be the expressed position (i.e. whatever is written in the *Power of Attorney*) it might be argued that there was some legal consequence arising from its [creation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings), which tends to undermine the notion it has no legal effect (*for example, if it be said someone relied on the execution of the document, as part of representations made to them before they entered a contract, the sum of which is to deny the other party the right to enforce the contract, in which event the Power of Attorney would at least in some sense, have a legal consequence)* - it presents problems in terms of what might constitute [revocation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal) of the terms in the document at least before it becomes effective:- - for the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) who wants to ‘revoke’ the document, terms like ‘[revoke](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#a-power-of-attorney-terminates-upon-revocation-by-the-principal)’ or ‘[renounce](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#renouncement-resignation)’ seem inapplicable - to recognize an act of this nature being taken in respect of the *Power of Attorney* is itself, something that presumably, the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) might assert be legally effective in the future, which might be said to mean it had at least some legal consequence (i.e. effect) in the past - what is the position where an agent purports to [accepts appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) before the *Power of Attorney* has become effective, if appointment cannot be accepted before the Power of Attorney becomes [binding](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-legally-bind) on the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney)? There is no need to explore the minutiae in respect of arguments against permitting the use of [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney.* It is sufficient to merely acknowledge there are at least reasons the approach in **Florida** is preferred in **Florida**. ### Merits of Californian Approach Of course, there are other reasons the approach in **California** might preferred, not the least of which is the fact that at least in principle, it seems feasible to deal with issues of this kind in a *Power of Attorney*. If all pertinent issues can be dealt with in a *Power of Attorney*, the public interest in ensuring that persons are free to structure their *Power of Attorney* affairs however they see fit would be good reason to prefer the **California** approach. It is at least questionable whether these issues can be dealt with in the terms of a *Power of Attorney.* The issues are not straightforward. Taking into account that in practical terms, there is nothing to prevent a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) specifying in a *Power of Attorney* that [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) may only be performed by [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) after a certain point in time in the future and otherwise define how their *Power of Attorney* affairs are to work, there are good reasons to debate the advantages of any approach that involves uncertainties of the kind referred to under the heading Merits of Prohibition in Florida. ### Adopting a Cautious Approach For anyone concerned that the meaning of the term “*become effective*” is a reference to a point in time when [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) are first authorized to perform any [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks), there may be a simple solution. It is arguably impossible to reject the notion that a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney), may be authorized to perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) that are ‘staggered over time' so to speak, that is to say “*may perform task A forthwith, task B from the date one year from today and task C from the date five years from today*…” In the present context, what is important about this example is that at least one task (task A) is authorized to be performed as soon as the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) has [accepted appointment](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#how-an-agent-may-accept-appointment-varies-in-the-six-6-greater-states) under the *Power of Attorney* , meaning there can be no suggestive this Power of Attorney falls afoul of such a rule. A cautious [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) who wants to ensure argument about the meaning of “*become effective*” refers to a point in time when [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) are first authorized to perform any [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks), may avoid the issue completely simply by ensuring that [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) are authorized to perform at least one [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks), perhaps an innocuous [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks), or a significant [task](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) subject to extensive [limitations](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/limitwhatis#a-limitation-regulates-the-core-terms-of-a-power-of-attorney) which would make it very difficult to suggest that the *Power of Attorney* falls afoul of such a rule. ### Case Study - Springing *Powers of Attorney* The [Case Study - Springing *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/casestudies#case-study-springing-powers-of-attorney) may be of assistance when considering the meaning of the term [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney.* ### General Use The notion of a “[springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney)” *Power of Attorney* is one of the more volatile terms, in terms of attracting various accounts of its meaning. The absence of accepted definition across all of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), making it harder to form a view as to what it truly means, in a ‘global’ sense. As it stands, amongst the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa):- - the term “[springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney)” *Power of Attorney* is only defined in **California** - outside **California**, the concept at stake is only squarely addressed in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of **Florida**, where such *Powers of Attorney* are prohibited - the term “effective”, which is focal in [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) in **California** and [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) in **Florida**, is used extensively in the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa) (see [Appendix 1](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#appendix-1-references-to-effect) to the [Exposé](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durability-an-exposé)) As to where everything falls across the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), it can only be said that:- - in states other than **California** where the concept of a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is defined, there will remain scope for some ‘accepted meaning' pertaining to performance of [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) - this may be only as an expression of convenience that never features in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - any such approach should be discouraged, consistent in particular with:- - promoting consistency in approaches to use of terminology across all states ([national uniformity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/historydevbriefhistory#the-national-perspective-is-fluid)) - the unsatisfactory nature of this approach, accepting the matters said above to render this alternative approach to be unworkable ### Certifications And Similar In some of the [Six (6) Greater States](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introduction#ca-tx-ny-fl-il-and-pa), an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) under a Power of Attorney for a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) may certify that a contingency has occurred, where for example a *Power of Attorney* is said to “become effective" at some time after 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) (*outside **Florida**, where this design is prohibited* [*§709.2108(3)*](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html)). In **California** [§4129](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4129.html) states:- *", a principal may designate a person who by written declaration under penalty of perjury has the power to conclusively determine if a contingency has occurred, being someone expressly said to be either an agent or any other person, including jointly or otherwise if the principal prefers (*[*§4129*](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4129.html)) In Texas [§751.203](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-203.html) permits an agent to certify:- *“4. If under its terms the power of attorney becomes effective on the disability or incapacity of the principal or at a future time or on the occurrence of a contingency, the principal now has a disability or is incapacitated or the specified future time or contingency has occurred.”* In New York [5-1501B](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501B) provides:- "*If the power of attorney states that it takes effect upon the occurrence of a date or a contingency specified in the document, then the power of attorney takes effect only when the date or contingency identified in the document has occurred, and the signature of the agent acting on behalf of the principal has been acknowledged.  If the document requires that a person or persons named or otherwise identified therein declare, in writing, that the identified contingency has occurred, such a declaration satisfies the requirement of this paragraph without regard to whether the specified contingency has occurred.."* In Pennsylvania [§5604](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5604.html) provides: *"..A principal may provide in the power of attorney that the power shall become effective at a specified future time or upon the occurrence of a specified contingency, including the disability or incapacity of the principal.."* ### A Special Word About Florida Anyone in Florida wanting to design a *Power of Attorney* under which [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may only perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) specified in *Power of Attorney* after a certain date or if certain events occur, which is prohibited in Florida (see [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html)):- - care might be taken in the language used in the *Power of Attorney* to recognise that the *Power of Attorney* is nonetheless, intended to be effective upon being signed by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) - when viewing the policy behind [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) it may be helpful to consider that:- - it seems arguable that [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) is directed to the complexities discussed above that are associated with a *Power of Attorney* not intended to be binding upon the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) until a future point in time, which is different from a *Power of Attorney* that is intended to be binding 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) and merely says certain [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) cannot be performed until a future point in time - anyone with concerns as to whether a *Power of Attorney* under which [agents](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) may only perform [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) specified in *Power of Attorney* after a certain date or if certain events occur might somehow fall afoul of the intention of the legislation might for example, include some innocuous [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) authorized to be performed forthwith, perhaps under significant limitations - it is hard to envisage there is a policy against authority 'staggered' over time, so as to say in a *Power of Attorney* that after a certain date particular [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) may be performed and after a later date other [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) performed and similar #### REFERENCES ##### California The right to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney-commence-operation-at-a-future-time) *Power of Attorney* is codified in [§4030](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4030.html) being said to be “*a power of attorney that by its terms becomes effective at a specified future time or on the occurrence of a specified future event or contingency, including, but not limited to, the subsequent incapacity of the principal*”. [§4129](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-4129.html) states: *"(a) In a springing power of attorney, the principal may designate one or more persons who, by a written declaration under penalty of perjury, have the power to determine conclusively that the specified event or contingency has occurred.  The principal may designate the attorney-in-fact or another person to perform this function, either alone or jointly with other persons.* *(b) A springing power of attorney containing the designation described in subdivision (a) becomes effective when the person or persons designated in the power of attorney execute a written declaration under penalty of perjury that the specified event or contingency has occurred, and any person may act in reliance on the written declaration without liability to the principal or to any other person, regardless of whether the specified event or contingency has actually occurred.* *(c) This section applies to a power of attorney whether executed before, on, or after January 1, 1991, if the power of attorney contains the designation described in subdivision (a).* *(d) This section does not provide the exclusive method by which a power of attorney may be limited to take effect on the occurrence of a specified event or contingency."* ##### Texas Texas has no [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) governing [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) *Powers of Attorney*. Texas expressly recognizes the right to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#a-durable-power-of-attorney-operates-if-the-principal-lacks-or-may-lack-capacity) *Power of Attorney* that is [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) ([§751.203](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-203.html)) albeit only in the context of the terms of certain certifications, without defining the term “[springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*” or addressing the concept in direct terms in [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons). [§751.203](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-751-203.html) permits an agent to certify:- *“4. If under its terms the power of attorney becomes effective on the disability or incapacity of the principal or at a future time or on the occurrence of a contingency, the principal now has a disability or is incapacitated or the specified future time or contingency has occurred.”* #### New York [§5-1501B](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501B) provides:- "*If the power of attorney states that it takes effect upon the occurrence of a date or a contingency specified in the document, then the power of attorney takes effect only when the date or contingency identified in the document has occurred, and the signature of the agent acting on behalf of the principal has been acknowledged.  If the document requires that a person or persons named or otherwise identified therein declare, in writing, that the identified contingency has occurred, such a declaration satisfies the requirement of this paragraph without regard to whether the specified contingency has occurred.."* #### Florida In Florida, it is not possible to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) certain kinds of *Power of Attorney* that might include either or both of the designs referred to above: [§709.2108(3)](https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xl-real-and-personal-property/fl-st-sect-709-2108.html) which 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”.* #### Illinois The entitlement of a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person) to [create](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is preserved in Illinois by [§2-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-3.html) which provides “*the principal may specify in the agency the event or time when the agency will begin or terminate*”. #### Pennyslvania [§5606](https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5606.html) provides: *As to acts undertaken in good faith reliance thereon, an affidavit executed by the agent under a power of attorney stating that he did not have at the time of exercise of the power actual knowledge of the termination of the power by revocation, death or, if applicable, disability or incapacity or the filing of an action in divorce and that, if applicable, the specified future time or contingency has occurred, is conclusive proof of the nonrevocation or nontermination of the power at that time and conclusive proof that the specified time or contingency has occurred.* ### Non-Springing *Powers of Attorney* The term “[non-springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-springing-powers-of-attorney)” is used to refer to any *Power of Attorney* that is not a [springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. In practical terms, a [non-springing](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-springing-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney* is a *Power of Attorney* that [commences](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/commencement#commencement-of-power-of-attorney) operation upon execution by the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) and arguably, provides for any [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) to commence to exercise authority from that point in time. ## **Temporary** ***Powers of Attorney*** #### (only operate for a fixed period) The term temporary *Power of Attorney* might be used to describe a *Power of Attorney* under which:- - **the** [**term**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) **of the** ***Power of Attorney*** **is limited** (*for example, where a Power of Attorney commences and* [*terminates*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termmng#termination-refers-to-a-power-of-attorney-coming-to-an-end) *on two particular dates*) - **the** [**term of appointment**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) **of** [**agents**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) **is limited** (*for example, where an* [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) *is appointed for a confined period within the* [*term*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/termaboutterm#term-term-of-authority-and-term-of-appointment-of-an-agent) *of the Power of Attorney*) **Next page overview** - **The [next page](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/aboutpowersofattorney#introducing-powersofattorneycom) examines the concept of a durable *Power of Attorney*.** **Next page index** - [**Part 1 - General Aspects: use; history; challenges; the global experience; importance of freedom of choice; complexities, fallacies & improvement**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-1-general-aspects) - [**Part 2 - Technical Aspects: Determining when effective; remedial legislation; immediately effective & future effective *Powers of Attorney*; different technical approaches**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-2-technical-aspects) [**Scope of Analysis**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#scope-of-analysis) [**Part 1: General Aspects**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-1-general-aspects) - [An **introductory description** of a durable *Power of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#an-introductory-description-of-a-durable-power-of-attorney) - [A durable *Power of Attorney* may be **used in lots of sitations**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#a-durable-power-of-attorney-may-be-used-in-lots-of-situations) - [**Historical developments** account for the need for durable *Powers of Attorney*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#historical-developments-account-for-the-need-for-durable-powers-of-attorney) - [Durable *Powers of Attorney* are **sophisticated instruments**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-are-sophisticated-legal-instruments) - [The **global experience** is wide and varied](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#the-global-experience-is-wide-and-varied) - [The **ULC approach**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#the-ulc-approach) - [**Freedom of choice** is important](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#freedom-of-choice-is-important) - [**Creature of statute**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#creature-of-statute) - [**Do we really need** durable *Powers of Attorney?*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#do-we-really-need-durable-and-non-durable-powers-of-attorney) - [If a **definition of "durable"** is needed](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#if-a-definition-of-durable-is-needed) - [In **Texas**, casting a *Power of Attorney* as **durable has special advantages**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#in-texas-casting-a-power-of-attorney-as-durable-has-special-advantages) - [**Complexities** (transient nature of capacity; failure to comply with mandatory requirements)](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#complexities) - [**Fallacies & shortcomings** repaired](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#fallacies-shortcomings-repaired) - [**Solving the** fundamental **problem**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#solving-the-fundamental-problem) [**Part 2: Technical Aspects**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#part-2-technical-aspects) - [**What** is a durable *Power of Attorney?*](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#what-is-a-durable-power-of-attorney) - [Determining **when** a *Power of Attorney* is **intended to be effective**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#determining-when-a-power-of-attorney-is-intended-to-be-effective) - [**Remedial** nature of **legislation**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#remedial-nature-of-legislation) - [The **common law**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#the-common-law) - [**Non-durable** *Powers of Attorney* in **California, New York & Florida**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#non-durable-powers-of-attorney-in-california-new-york-florida) - [Can a durable *Power of Attorney* **terminate at the moment the principal loses capacity?**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#can-a-durable-power-of-attorney-terminate-at-the-moment-the-principal-lacks-capacity) - [**Casting** a *Power of Attorney* **as** a **durable *Power of Attorney***](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#casting-a-power-of-attorney-as-a-durable-power-of-attorney) - [Durable *Powers of Attorney* intended to be **immediately effective**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-intended-to-be-immediately-effective) - [Durable *Powers of Attorney* intended to be **effective in the future**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#durable-powers-of-attorney-intended-to-be-effective-in-the-future) - [Expression of **durable preference**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#expression-of-durable-preference-california-texas-florida) - [**Determining** the principal's **preference**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#determining-the-principals-preference) - [**Key concepts**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#key-concepts) - [**Determining if** a *Power of Attorney* is **durable or non-durable**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#determining-if-a-power-of-attorney-is-durable-or-non-durable) - [A special consideration in **Texas**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#a-special-consideration-in-texas) - [**REFERENCES**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#some-handy-references) - [California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#california) - [Texas](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#texas) - [New York](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#new-york) - [Florida](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#florida) - [Illinois](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#illinois) - [Pennsylvania](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#pennyslvania) - [Appendix 1: References to "Effect"](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#appendix-1-references-to-effect) - [*Powers of Attorney* **outside this analysis**](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/durablenondurable#outside-the-scope-of-this-wiki-page) ## [^1]: For example, despite their titles: (a) a *Power of Attorney* titled “*Durable Power of Attorney*” and containing a direction reading “this *Power of Attorney terminates upon my loss of capacity*” would not be a [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*; and (b) a *Power of Attorney* titled “*General Power of Attorney*” and contained clear provision to the effect that the [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal) is only authorized to perform three (3) specific [tasks](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/whatcanagentdo#there-are-lots-of-examples-of-commercial-tasks) would not be a [general](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#general-powers-of-attorney) *Power of Attorney*. [^2]: Ibid. [^3]: See *Power of Attorney for Health Care* (CA), *Medical Power of Attorney* (TX), *Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Health Care* (IL) and *Health Care Power of Attorney* (PA) [^4]: Being *Powers of Attorney* not excluded from the ambit of the [legislation](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#the-legislation-governs-powers-of-attorney-for-persons) - [click here](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/legislation#exclusions) to read more. [^5]: For example in Texas, the use of *Powers of Attorney* in business transactions was approved in *Texas Bankers Association v Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) (App 3 Dist. 2010) 303 S.W.3d 404* where the Court said "*..the use of powers of attorney to designate an attorney-in-fact to act on the designor's behalf is a recognized principle of Texas law*" and "[there is an] *existing principle of Texas Law that allows the use of a properly executed *Power of Attorney* in business transactions*". We might look at the many cases in Texas involving *Powers of Attorney* [created](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/creation/create#terms-like-create-or-make-a-power-of-attorney-have-various-meanings) by a [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) who is a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity), or involving a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) appointed as an [agent](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/agentswhatisagent#an-agent-is-an-entity-appointed-by-the-principal-to-represent-and-bind-the-principal), as good evidence that [commercial entities](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) may be [officeholders](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/introotherofficeholders#types-of-officeholders) under a *Power of Attorney*. [^6]: Putting the distinction between [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) and [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) a new light (see NY [§5-1501A](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/5-1501A); IL [§2-5](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-5.html); PA [§5601](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-5.html)) accepting that for example, in New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania, a *Power of Attorney* is [durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#durable-powers-of-attorney) unless stated otherwise and conversely in other states. [^7]: Moreover, use of term [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) in association with a *Power of Attorney* for a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) is actually confusing, by tending to infer that the [principal](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/principal#the-principal-is-the-entity-that-makes-the-power-of-attorney) is a [person](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-person-ie-natural-person), there being no reason to identify a *Power of Attorney* for a [commercial entity](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/terms#meaning-of-commercial-entity) as [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney), being [non-durable](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#non-durable-powers-of-attorney) by definition. [^8]: As discussed above under the heading [Definition of "Non-Durable" In California](https://wiki.powersofattorney.com/typescommonlyusedpersons#definition-of-non-durable-in-california) [^9]: Ibid. [^10]: See the discussion at page 893 of [The Rationale of Agency](https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3256&context=facpub) by Warren Seavey (1920) [^11]: See [The Durable Power of Attorney's Place In The Family of Fiduciary Relationships](https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=faculty-articles) by Karen E Boxx (2001) at page 6. [^12]: See the definition of “agency” in [§2-3](https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-755-estates/il-st-sect-755-45-2-3.html) which excludes agencies “for the benefit of the agent”.