Montana Code Annotated
Part 3. Uniform Power of Attorney Act
72-31-338. Construction of authority generally

72-31-338. Construction of authority generally. Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, by executing a power of attorney that incorporates a subject described in 72-31-339 through 72-31-352 or that grants to an agent authority to do all acts that a principal could do pursuant to 72-31-336(3), a principal authorizes the agent, with respect to that subject, to:
(1) demand, receive, and obtain, by litigation or otherwise, money or another thing of value to which the principal is, may become, or claims to be entitled and conserve, invest, disburse, or use anything so received for the purposes intended;
(2) contract in any manner with any person, on terms agreeable to the agent, to accomplish a purpose of a transaction and perform, rescind, cancel, terminate, reform, restate, release, or modify the contract or another contract made by or on behalf of the principal;
(3) execute, acknowledge, seal, file, and record any instrument or communication the agent considers desirable to accomplish a purpose of a transaction, including creating at any time a schedule listing some or all of the principal's property and attaching it to the power of attorney;
(4) initiate, participate in, submit to alternative dispute resolution, settle, oppose, or propose or accept a compromise with respect to a claim existing in favor of or against the principal or intervene in litigation relating to the claim;
(5) seek on the principal's behalf the assistance of a court or other governmental agency to carry out an act authorized by the power of attorney;
(6) engage, compensate, and discharge an attorney, accountant, discretionary investment manager, expert witness, or other advisor;
(7) prepare, execute, and file a record, report, or other document to safeguard or promote the principal's interest under a statute or regulation;
(8) communicate with any representative or employee of a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality on behalf of the principal;
(9) access communications intended for and communicate on behalf of the principal, whether by mail, electronic transmission, telephone, or other means; and
(10) do any other lawful act with respect to the subject and all property related to the subject.
History: En. Sec. 115, Ch. 494, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 29, Ch. 109, L. 2011; Sec. 72-31-223, MCA 2009; redes. 72-31-338 by Code Commissioner, 2011.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 72. Estates, Trusts, and Fiduciary Relationships

Chapter 31. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Fiduciaries

Part 3. Uniform Power of Attorney Act

72-31-301. Short title

72-31-302. Definitions

72-31-303. Applicability

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

72-31-318. Agent's acceptance

72-31-319. Agent's duties

72-31-320. Exoneration of agent

72-31-321. Judicial relief

72-31-322. Agent's liability

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

72-31-339. Real property

72-31-340. Tangible personal property

72-31-341. Stocks and bonds

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

72-31-350. Retirement plans

72-31-351. Taxes

72-31-352. Gifts

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

72-31-367. Effect on existing powers of attorney