Source: https://www.nyestatelitigationblog.com/2009/02/articles/fiduciaries/getting-to-know-new-yorks-new-power-of-attorney-law/
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Getting to Know New York's New Power of Attorney Law | New York Trusts & Estates Litigation
Home » Getting to Know New York’s New Power of Attorney Law
Section §5-1501 of the New York General Obligations law, which contains the existing statutory short form power of attorney, has been repealed in its entirety. New Sections §5-1501, §5-1501A and §5-1501B have been added in its place. In the interest of clarity, the new law provides ample definitions for the terms used within Title 15 (see §5-1501); and in order to prevent miscommunication and possible fraud, it also provides that a valid power of attorney must be: (i) legibly typed in no less than twelve-point font, (ii) signed and dated by a principal, (iii) with capacity (as defined within the statute), (iv) in the manner prescribed for the acknowledgement of a conveyance of real property (see §5-1501B).
The most significant change to the law is the establishment of the “Statutory Major Gifts Rider” (“SMGR”), a supplemental document in which the principal may “authorize major gift transactions and other transfers” as detailed in the new §15-1514. Gifting powers may no longer be granted to an agent within the context of a durable power of attorney, instead the principal must sign a SMGR to accomplish this.
The statutory form of SMGR or a non-statutory form may be used. However, if the principal wishes to use any SMGR he or she must so authorize by initialing the appropriate box on the new durable power of attorney form. The practitioner should be mindful that the SMGR will only be valid if it is executed simultaneously with the power of attorney form, and is both acknowledged and witnessed by two disinterested witnesses.
In the absence of a SMGR, the only gifts that the agent, as attorney-in-fact, will be permitted to make on behalf of the principal are gifts which the principal had customarily made to individuals and charities, not to exceed $500.00 per beneficiary, per calendar year (see §5-1502(I)). Obviously, this will not serve to accomplish many significant estate planning objectives.
Another significant change to the statutory form is that it provides that all prior powers of attorney are revoked upon the execution of a new power of attorney, unless the principal affirmatively states the contrary in the “Modifications” section provided. This can pose obvious problems to a distracted or misinformed client, and extreme caution must be taken to insure that estate planning powers are not accidentally revoked by clients when granting limited powers to another individual subsequently.
In order to sign a power of attorney, the principal must have capacity, which is defined by the statute as the “ability to comprehend the nature and consequences of the act of executing and granting, revoking, amending or modifying a power of attorney, any provision in a power of attorney, or the authority of any person to act as agent under a power of attorney” (see §5-1501). All Powers of Attorney are considered durable unless the document expressly states otherwise. Accordingly, the Non-Durable Power of Attorney form has likewise been repealed, and may be replaced by the new statutory form with an added statement indicating that this Power of Attorney should not survive the principal’s incapacity.
The new law provides that particular sections entitled “Caution to the Principal” and “Important Information for the Agent” must be included in the form using prescribed language (see §5-1513). These sections provide enhanced warnings to the prospective principal, emphasizing the significance of executing a durable power of attorney. They also give explicit instructions to the agent with respect to his or her obligations in serving as an attorney-in-fact and a reminder of their fiduciary duties. The agent’s responsibilities are more fully set forth in §5-1505 of the new law, and this section is referenced within the cautionary sections of the statutory form.
In another departure from the old law, prior to use, the power of attorney must also be executed by the agent and acknowledged. This change is likely due to the legislature’s desire that the agent be fully aware and bound by the instructions and warnings which appear on the new form. However, the document need not be executed by the principal and agent simultaneously.
Third-parties may not refuse to honor a statutory form power of attorney “without reasonable cause.” To avoid confusion, the new law enumerates a non-exclusive list of circumstances which can constitute reasonable cause for third-party refusal to honor a power of attorney; as well as some circumstances that are specifically deemed unreasonable cause for refusal (see §5-1504). One example of unreasonable cause, is the common situation faced by agents encountering financial institutions who only want to utilize their own form of power of attorney, and unjustly refuse to honor a general durable power.
An agent under power of attorney is not entitled to compensation unless same is expressly provided for within the document (see §5-1506). The statutory form provides a box to be initialed if the agent is to receive “reasonable compensation.” Reimbursement of the agent’s expenses are permitted without an affirmative provision.
Unless the principal expressly provides otherwise, co-agents must act together. However, even in the absence of an authorization for the agents to separately act, in certain emergency situations, as defined in the statute, one co-agent may serve alone (see §5-1508).
The statutory form provides a section which provides the principal with the opportunity to appoint a “Monitor” who may compel the agent to produce records, receipts, etc. on a going forward basis (see §5-1509).
If the agent fails to produce records as required, or other questions arise with respect to a power of attorney, a new special proceeding established under §5-1510 of the new law may be commenced by specific interested parties.
A power of attorney executed in another state or jurisdiction, in compliance with the laws of that state, is valid and enforceable in New York (see §5-1512).
Practitioners should begin familiarizing themselves with the new statute as soon as possible and begin preparing their new forms. These new requirements concerning power of attorney will undoubtedly require some adjustment by practitioners who are used to the comparatively simple old statutory forms.
Tags: Fiduciaries, General Obligations Law 5-1501, Jordan S. Linn, new power of attorney legislation, power of attorney