72-31-324. Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney. (1) For purposes of 72-31-325 and this section, "acknowledged" means purportedly verified before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments.
(2) A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney without actual knowledge that the signature is not genuine may rely upon the presumption under 72-31-305 that the signature is genuine.
(3) A person that in good faith accepts an acknowledged power of attorney 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.
(4) A person that is asked to accept an acknowledged power of attorney may request, and rely upon, without further investigation:
(a) an agent's certification under penalty of perjury of any factual matter concerning the principal, agent, or power of attorney;
(b) an English translation of the power of attorney if the power of attorney contains, in whole or in part, language other than English; and
(c) an opinion of counsel as to any matter of law concerning the power of attorney if the person making the request provides in a writing or other record the reason for the request.
(5) An English translation or an opinion of counsel requested under this section must be provided at the principal's expense unless the request is made more than 7 business days after the power of attorney is presented for acceptance.
(6) For purposes of 72-31-325 and this section, a person that conducts activities through employees is without actual knowledge of a fact relating to a power of attorney, a principal, or an agent if the employee conducting the transaction involving the power of attorney is without actual knowledge of the fact.
History: En. Sec. 18, Ch. 109, L. 2011.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 72. Estates, Trusts, and Fiduciary Relationships
Chapter 31. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Fiduciaries
Part 3. Uniform Power of Attorney Act
72-31-304. Power of attorney is durable
72-31-305. Execution of power of attorney
72-31-306. Validity of power of attorney
72-31-307. Meaning and effect of power of attorney
72-31-308. Nomination of conservator or guardian -- relation of agent to court-appointed fiduciary
72-31-309. When power of attorney effective
72-31-310. Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority
72-31-311. through 72-31-315 reserved
72-31-316. Coagents or successor agents
72-31-317. Reimbursement and compensation of agent
72-31-320. Exoneration of agent
72-31-323. Agent's resignation -- notice
72-31-324. Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney
72-31-325. Liability for refusal to accept acknowledged power of attorney
72-31-326. Principles of law and equity
72-31-327. Laws applicable to financial institutions and entities
72-31-328. Remedies under other law
72-31-329. through 72-31-335 reserved
72-31-336. Authority that requires specific grant -- grant of general authority
72-31-337. Incorporation of authority
72-31-338. Construction of authority generally
72-31-340. Tangible personal property
72-31-342. Commodities and options
72-31-343. Banks and other financial institutions
72-31-344. Operation of entity or business
72-31-345. Insurance and annuities
72-31-346. Estates, trusts, and other beneficial interests
72-31-347. Claims and litigation
72-31-348. Personal and family maintenance
72-31-349. Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service
72-31-353. Statutory form power of attorney
72-31-354. Agent's certification
72-31-355. through 72-31-364 reserved
72-31-365. Uniformity of application and construction
72-31-366. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act