(a) A principal may designate two or more persons to act as coagents. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides by use of the word “severally” in the power of attorney that each agent acting alone is able to exercise the power conferred, each coagent shall exercise its authority jointly. A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney from one or more coagents without actual knowledge that the power of attorney is void, invalid or terminated, that the purported agent's authority is void, invalid or terminated, or that the agent is exceeding or improperly exercising the agent's authority may rely upon the power of attorney as if the power of attorney were genuine, valid and still in effect, the agent's authority were genuine, valid and still in effect, and the agent had not exceeded and had properly exercised the authority.
(b) A principal may designate one or more successor agents to act if an agent resigns, dies, becomes incapacitated, is not qualified to serve or declines to serve. A principal may grant authority to designate one or more successor agents to an agent or other person designated by name, office or function. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, a successor agent:
(1) Has the same authority as that granted to the original agent; and
(2) May not act until all predecessor agents have resigned, died, become incapacitated, are no longer qualified to serve or have declined to serve.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney and subsection (d) of this section, an agent that does not participate in or conceal a breach of fiduciary duty committed by another agent, including a predecessor agent, is not liable for the actions of the other agent.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent that has actual knowledge of a breach or imminent breach of fiduciary duty by another agent shall notify the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated, take any action reasonably appropriate in the circumstances to safeguard the principal's best interest. An agent that fails to notify the principal or take action as required by this subsection, specifically with respect to the theft or misappropriation of the principal's property by another agent, is liable for the reasonably foreseeable damages that could have been avoided if the agent had notified the principal or taken such action relating to such theft or misappropriation.
(P.A. 15-240, S. 11; P.A. 16-40, S. 9.)
History: P.A. 15-240 effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 16-40 changed effective date of P.A. 15-240, S. 11, from July 1, 2016, to October 1, 2016, effective May 27, 2016.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 1 - Provisions of General Application
Section 1-350. - Short title: Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
Section 1-350a. - Definitions.
Section 1-350b. - Applicability.
Section 1-350c. - Power of attorney is durable.
Section 1-350d. - Execution of power of attorney.
Section 1-350e. - Validity of power of attorney.
Section 1-350f. - Meaning and effect of power of attorney.
Section 1-350g. - Nomination of conservator in power of attorney.
Section 1-350h. - When power of attorney effective.
Section 1-350i. - Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority.
Section 1-350j. - Coagents and successor agents.
Section 1-350k. - Reimbursement and compensation of agent.
Section 1-350l. - Agent's acceptance.
Section 1-350m. - Agent's duties.
Section 1-350n. - Exoneration of agent.
Section 1-350o. - Judicial relief.
Section 1-350p. - Agent's liability.
Section 1-350q. - Agent's resignation. Notice.
Section 1-350r. - Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney.
Section 1-350s. - Liability for refusal to accept acknowledged power of attorney.
Section 1-350t. - Principles of law and equity.
Section 1-350u. - Laws applicable to financial institutions or other entities.
Section 1-350v. - Remedies under other law.
Section 1-351. - Authority that requires specific grant. Grant of general authority.
Section 1-351a. - Incorporation of authority.
Section 1-351b. - Construction of authority, generally.
Section 1-351c. - General authority with respect to real property.
Section 1-351d. - General authority with respect to tangible personal property.
Section 1-351e. - General authority with respect to stocks and bonds.
Section 1-351f. - General authority with respect to commodities and options.
Section 1-351g. - General authority with respect to banks and other financial institutions.
Section 1-351h. - General authority with respect to operation of entity or business.
Section 1-351i. - General authority with respect to insurance and annuities.
Section 1-351j. - General authority with respect to estates, trusts and other beneficial interests.
Section 1-351k. - General authority with respect to claims and litigation.
Section 1-351l. - General authority with respect to personal and family maintenance.
Section 1-351n. - General authority with respect to retirement plans.
Section 1-351o. - General authority with respect to taxes.
Section 1-351p. - General authority with respect to gifts.
Section 1-352. - Power of attorney short form, long form and optional information form.
Section 1-352a. - Agent's certification.
Section 1-353. - Uniformity of application and construction.
Section 1-353a. - Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
Section 1-353b. - Effect on existing powers of attorney.
Section 1-362. - Validity of substitute decision-making document.
Section 1-363. - Meaning and effect of substitute decision-making document.
Section 1-364. - Reliance on substitute decision-making document.
Section 1-365. - Obligation to accept substitute decision-making document.
Section 1-366. - Remedies under other law.
Section 1-367. - Uniformity of application and construction.