Construction of powers generally

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By executing a statutory power of attorney with respect to a subject listed in section 21-2101(a) , the principal, except as limited or extended by the principal in the power of attorney, empowers the agent, for that subject to:

(1) Demand, receive, and obtain by litigation or otherwise, money or other thing of value to which the principal is, may become, or claims to be entitled; and conserve, invest, disburse, or use anything so received for the purposes intended;

(2) Contract in any manner with any person, on terms agreeable to the agent, to accomplish a purpose of a transaction, and perform, rescind, reform, release, or modify the contract or another contract made by or on behalf of the principal;

(3) Execute, acknowledge, seal, and deliver a revocation, lease, notice, check, release, or other instrument the agent considers desirable to accomplish a purpose of a transaction;

(4) Prosecute, defend, submit to arbitration, settle, and propose or accept a compromise with respect to a claim existing in favor of or against the principal or intervene in litigation relating to the claim;

(5) Seek on the principal’s behalf the assistance of a court to carry out an act authorized by the power of attorney;

(6) Engage, compensate, and discharge an attorney, accountant, expert witness, or other assistant;

(7) Keep appropriate records of each transaction, including an accounting of receipts and disbursements;

(8) Prepare, execute, and file a record, report, or other document the agent considers desirable to safeguard or promote the principal’s interest under a statute or governmental regulation;

(9) Reimburse the agent for expenditures properly made by the agent in exercising the powers granted by the power of attorney; and

(10) In general, do any other lawful act with respect to the subject.

(Sept. 18, 1998, D.C. Law 12-147, § 2, 45 DCR 3853.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 21-2103.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 21-2117.

Editor's Notes

Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 3 of the Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney Act.


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