Delaware Code
Subchapter I. General Provisions
§ 49A-109. When personal power of attorney effective.

(a) A personal power of attorney is effective when executed unless the principal provides in the personal power of attorney that it becomes effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency.
(b) If a personal power of attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency, the principal, in the personal power of attorney, may authorize 1 or more persons to determine in a writing or other record that the event or contingency has occurred.
(c) If a personal power of attorney becomes effective upon the principal's incapacity and the principal has not authorized a person or persons to determine whether the principal is incapacitated, or the person or persons authorized is or are unable or unwilling to make the determination, the personal power of attorney becomes effective upon a determination in a writing or other record by a physician or by the Court of Chancery or other court of competent jurisdiction that the principal is incapacitated.
(d) A person authorized by the principal in the personal power of attorney to determine that the principal is incapacitated may act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [P.L. 104-191], §§ 1171 through 1179 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., as amended, and applicable regulations, to obtain access to the principal's health-care information and communicate with the principal's health-care provider.

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