Case Name: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2011-2
Court: Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel
Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
Decision Date: 2011-05-20
Citations: 261 P.3d 1184
Docket Number: No. 2011-2
Parties: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2011-2.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pacific Reporter 3d
Volume: 261
Pages: 1184–1185

Head Matter:
2011 OK JUD ETH 2
JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2011-2.
No. 2011-2.
Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.
May 20, 2011.

Opinion:
JUDICIAL ETHICS ADVISORY PANEL
T1 Question: May a Judge serve as an Attorney in Fact, due to an appointment in a Durable Power of Attorney, for a relative?
T2 Facts: 1. Judge's spouse's relative appointed Judge's spouse as Attorney in Fact and Judge as Alternate in Durable Power of Attorney.
¶ 3 2. Relative is now medically incapacitated. (Judge's spouse is only living relative of Principal.)
{4 3. Judge is assisting spouse in dealing with medical issues and Nursing Home.
¶5 Discussion: 1. Canon 8-Rule 8.8(A) of Oklahoma Code of Judicial Conduct: "Appointment to Fiduciary Position" provides:
"A judge shall not accept appointment to serve in a fiduciary position, such as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, attorney in fact, or other personal representative, except for the estate, trust, or person of a member of the judge's family, or a member of the judge's household and then only if such service will not interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties."
{ 6 2. Terminology defines:
"Member of the judge's family" means a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the judge maintains a close familial relationship."
T7 Answer: Yes, only if such service will not interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.
/s) Milton C. Craig, Chairman
/s) Robert E. Lavender, Vice-Chairman
/s/ Vieki L. Robertson, Secretary