18-C M.R.S. § 5-123
This is the official text of 18-C M.R.S. § 5-123, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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18-C §5-123. Use of agent by guardian or conservator
Official statutory text
1. Delegation consistent with plan and fiduciary duty. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 , a guardian or conservator may delegate a power to an agent that a prudent guardian or conservator of comparable skills could prudently delegate under the circumstances if the delegation is consistent with the guardian's or conservator's plan and fiduciary duty. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2. Delegating a power. In delegating a power under subsection 1 , the guardian or conservator shall exercise reasonable care, skill and caution in: A. Selecting the agent; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. Establishing the scope and terms of the agent's work in accordance with the guardian's or conservator's plan; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. Monitoring the agent's performance and compliance with the delegation; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] D. Redressing action or inaction of the agent that would constitute a breach of the guardian's or conservator's duties if performed by the guardian or conservator. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3. Delegation limitation. A guardian or conservator may not delegate all powers to an agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4. Agent performing a delegated power. In performing a power delegated under this section, an agent shall: A. Exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation and use reasonable care in the performance of the delegated power; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. If the agent has been delegated the power to make a decision on behalf of the individual subject to guardianship or conservatorship, in making the decision use the same decision-making standard the guardian or conservator would be required to use in making the decision. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
5. Jurisdiction of court. By accepting a delegation of a power from a guardian or conservator under this section, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State in an action involving the agent's performance as agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
6. Liability. A guardian or conservator that delegates and monitors a power in compliance with this section is not liable for the decisions or actions of the agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2. Delegating a power. In delegating a power under subsection 1 , the guardian or conservator shall exercise reasonable care, skill and caution in: A. Selecting the agent; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. Establishing the scope and terms of the agent's work in accordance with the guardian's or conservator's plan; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. Monitoring the agent's performance and compliance with the delegation; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] D. Redressing action or inaction of the agent that would constitute a breach of the guardian's or conservator's duties if performed by the guardian or conservator. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3. Delegation limitation. A guardian or conservator may not delegate all powers to an agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
4. Agent performing a delegated power. In performing a power delegated under this section, an agent shall: A. Exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation and use reasonable care in the performance of the delegated power; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. If the agent has been delegated the power to make a decision on behalf of the individual subject to guardianship or conservatorship, in making the decision use the same decision-making standard the guardian or conservator would be required to use in making the decision. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
5. Jurisdiction of court. By accepting a delegation of a power from a guardian or conservator under this section, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State in an action involving the agent's performance as agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
6. Liability. A guardian or conservator that delegates and monitors a power in compliance with this section is not liable for the decisions or actions of the agent. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
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