[WSBAPT] Capacity to Sign Power of Attorney in WA

Tue Jan 10 14:16:14 PST 2017

Take a look at Heathcote v. Priddis, 84 Wash. App. 1060 (1997), review
denied, 132 Wn.2d 1002 (1997). There, the Court of Appeals stated:

A person who is not mentally competent to conduct or manage his or her
business is not competent to appoint an agent to do so.
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=0107351
915&pubNum=0113289&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=
TS&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.S
earch)> 3 Am.Jur.2d Agency sec. 12 (1996). The law however, presumes that a
person is competent until contrary proof is offered.
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1996122
907&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&o
riginationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Searc
h)> Vo v. Pham, 81 Wn.App. 781, 784, 916 P.2d 462 (1996);
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=0107399
935&pubNum=0113622&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=
TS&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.S
earch)> 53 Am.Jur.2d Mentally Impaired Persons sec. 155 (1996).

Although we find no decision in this jurisdiction specifically addressing
mental competency in the context of the execution of a durable power of
attorney, in addressing mental competency to sign similar documents, i.e.,
wills, contracts, and deeds, courts have looked to whether the signing party
"possessed sufficient mind or reason to enable him to comprehend the nature,
terms and effect of the contract in issue."
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103
506&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&o
riginationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Searc
h)> Page v. Prudential Life Ins. Co. of Am., 12 Wn.2d 101, 109, 120 P.2d 527
(1942) (contracts); see
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1957118
361&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&o
riginationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Searc
h)> Binder v. Binder, 50 Wn.2d 142, 148-49, 309 P.2d 1050 (1957) (deeds);
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1988023
796&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&o
riginationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Searc
h)> In re Eubank, 50 Wn.App. 611, 617, 749 P.2d 691 (1988) (testamentary
capacity). Mental competency is a factual issue that must be determined at
the time of the challenged transaction.
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103
506&pubNum=804&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&f
i=co_pp_sp_804_109&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&c
ontextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_804_109> Page, 12 Wn.2d at 109. The
challenging party must overcome the presumption of competency with clear,
cogent, and convincing evidence.
<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103
506&pubNum=804&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&f
i=co_pp_sp_804_109&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&c
ontextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_804_109> Page, 12 Wn.2d at 109.

Please review the case yourself rather than taking me as the final word, and
be sure to check to see if there is any later authority on the subject.

Best wishes,

Sharon

Law Office of Sharon C. Rutberg, PS

1734 NW Market St.

Seattle, WA 98107

Website:  <http://www.sharonrutberglaw.com/> www.sharonrutberglaw.com 

206-409-2604

 <mailto:email at sharonrutberglaw.com> email at sharonrutberglaw.com

Washington State Bar #47055
D.C. Bar #420576

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
[mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Steve Stovall
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 12:23 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Capacity to Sign Power of Attorney in WA

To the list please.

Steven L. Stovall

Solution Law

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
[mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Hackett
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 12:21 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Capacity to Sign Power of Attorney in WA

Hi-

I'm trying to find a WA statute or case on point for the capacity required
for a person to sign a power of attorney. I've been unsuccessful in my
research. In general, I understand it would be the same capacity needed to
sign a contract, but hoping to find a statute or case on point for
Washington.

Thanks in advance for any insights or pointing me in the right direction. 

https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B-SxUq1b3OJKWTdxRWo3ZThmaGs&r
evid=0B-SxUq1b3OJKNVVIcDZreEwxdGNIb1Q5VDRDU0RrUTVoL2E4PQ

Thomas A. Hackett
Attorney | NW Legacy Law Center, P.S.

360-975-7770 |  <http://nwlegacylaw.com/> http://nwlegacylaw.com

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