2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 18-C: PROBATE CODE › Article 5: MAINE UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS › Part 9: MAINE UNIFORM POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT › Subpart 2: AUTHORITY › 18-C §5-943. Personal and family maintenance

§5-943. Personal and family maintenance
1.  General authority.
Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to personal and family maintenance authorizes the agent to:
A. Perform the acts necessary to maintain the customary standard of living of the principal, the principal's spouse or the principal's domestic partner and the following individuals, whether living when the power of attorney is executed or later born:
(1) Individuals legally entitled to be supported by the principal; and
(2) Individuals whom the principal has customarily supported or indicated the intent to support;   [PL 2021, c. 567, §16 (AMD).]
B. Make periodic payments of child support and other family maintenance required by a court or governmental agency or an agreement to which the principal is a party;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C. Provide living quarters for the individuals described in paragraph A by:
(1) Purchase, lease or other contract; or
(2) Paying the operating costs, including interest, amortization payments, repairs, improvements and taxes, for premises owned by the principal or occupied by those individuals;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D. Provide normal domestic help, usual vacations and travel expenses and funds for shelter, clothing, food, appropriate education, including postsecondary and vocational education, and other current living costs for the individuals described in paragraph A;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
E. Pay expenses for necessary health care and custodial care on behalf of the individuals described in paragraph A;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
F. Act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 United States Code, Section 1320d et seq., as amended, and applicable regulations, in making decisions related to the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care consented to by the principal or anyone authorized under the law of this State to consent to health care on behalf of the principal;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
G. Continue any provision made by the principal for automobiles or other means of transportation, including registering, licensing, insuring and replacing them, for the individuals described in paragraph A;   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
H. Maintain credit and debit accounts for the convenience of the individuals described in paragraph A and open new accounts; and   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
I. Continue payments incidental to the membership or affiliation of the principal in a religious institution, club, society, order or other organization or to continue contributions to those organizations.   [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2021, c. 567, §16 (AMD).]
2.  Authority with respect to gifts.
Authority with respect to personal and family maintenance is neither dependent upon, nor limited by, authority that an agent may or may not have with respect to gifts under this Part.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 567, §16 (AMD).