Effective: March 22, 2012
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 117 - 129th General Assembly
(A) 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 do all of the following:
(1) Perform the acts necessary to maintain the customary standard of living of the principal, the principal's spouse, and the following individuals, whether living when the power of attorney is executed or later born:
(a) Other individuals legally entitled to be supported by the principal;
(b) The individuals whom the principal has customarily supported or indicated the intent to support.
(2) 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;
(3) Provide living quarters for the individuals described in division (A)(1) of this section by doing either of the following:
(a) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise contracting;
(b) Paying the operating costs, including interest, amortization payments, repairs, improvements, and taxes, for premises owned by the principal or occupied by those individuals.
(4) 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 division (A)(1) of this section;
(5) Pay expenses for necessary health care and custodial care on behalf of the individuals described in division (A)(1) of this section;
(6) Act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1320d to 1320d-9 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;
(7) 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 division (A)(1) of this section;
(8) Maintain credit and debit accounts for the convenience of the individuals described in division (A)(1) of this section and open new accounts;
(9) 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.
(B) 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 sections 1337.21 to 1337.64 of the Revised Code.