New DPOA requirements

Michigan has amended section 5501 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, governing durable powers of attorney. For any document executed after October 1, 2012, it must

• be dated and either notarized or signed before two witnesses, and 
• include an acknowledgement signed by the agent (the "attorney in fact")

The acknowledgement reads as follows: 

I, ____________________, have been appointed as attorney-in-fact for ________________________, the principal, under a durable power of attorney dated __________. By signing this document, I acknowledge that if and when I act as attorney-in-fact, all of the following apply:

(a) Except as provided in the durable power of attorney, I must act in accordance with the standards of care applicable to fiduciaries acting under durable powers of attorney.
(b) I must take reasonable steps to follow the instructions of the principal.
(c) Upon request of the principal, I must keep the principal informed of my actions. I must provide an accounting to the principal upon request of the principal, to a guardian or conservator appointed on behalf of the principal upon the request of that guardian or conservator, or pursuant to judicial order.
(d) I cannot make a gift from the principal's property, unless provided for in the durable power of attorney or by judicial order.
(e) Unless provided in the durable power of attorney or by judicial order, I, while acting as attorney-in-fact, shall not create an account or other asset in joint tenancy between the principal and me.
(f) I must maintain records of my transactions as attorney-in-fact, including receipts, disbursements, and investments.
(g) I may be liable for any damage or loss to the principal, and may be subject to any other available remedy, for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the principal. In the durable power of attorney, the principal may exonerate me of any liability to the principal for breach of fiduciary duty except for actions committed by me in bad faith or with reckless indifference. An exoneration clause is not enforceable if inserted as the result of my abuse of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to the principal.
(h) I may be subject to civil or criminal penalties if I violate my duties to the principal.

Signature: _______________________ Date: ______________________

In addition, a new subsection (3) provides limitations and imposes new duties on the agent:  

An attorney-in-fact designated and acting under a durable power of attorney has the authority, rights, responsibilities, and limitations as provided by law with respect to a durable power of attorney, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Except as provided in the durable power of attorney, the attorney-in-fact shall act in accordance with the standards of care applicable to fiduciaries exercising powers under a durable power of attorney.

(b) The attorney-in-fact shall take reasonable steps to follow the instructions of the principal.

(c) Upon request of the principal, the attorney-in-fact shall keep the principal informed of the attorney-in-fact's actions. The attorney-in-fact shall provide an accounting to the principal upon request of the principal, to a conservator or guardian appointed on behalf of the principal upon request of the guardian or conservator, or pursuant to judicial order.

(d) The attorney-in-fact shall not make a gift of all or any part of the principal's assets, unless provided for in the durable power of attorney or by judicial order.

(e) Unless provided in the durable power of attorney or by judicial order, the attorney-in-fact, while acting as attorney-in-fact, shall not create an account or other asset in joint tenancy between the principal and the attorney-in-fact.

(f) The attorney-in-fact shall maintain records of the attorney-in-fact's actions on behalf of the principal, including transactions, receipts, disbursements, and investments.

(g) The attorney-in-fact may be liable for any damage or loss to the principal, and may be subject to any other available remedy, for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the principal. In the durable power of attorney, the principal may exonerate the attorney-in-fact of any liability to the principal for breach of fiduciary duty except for actions committed by the attorney-in-fact in bad faith or with reckless indifference. An exoneration clause is not enforceable if inserted as the result of an abuse by the attorney-in-fact of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to the principal.

(h) The attorney-in-fact may receive reasonable compensation for the attorney-in-fact's services if provided for in the durable power of attorney.