[WSBAPT] Capacity to Sign Power of Attorney in WA

Tue Jan 10 14:33:52 PST 2017

Thank-you Sharon and Doug!

Steven L. Stovall
Solution Law
Tel. 253-235-4044
Fax 253-883-4055
 Send me a secure message<https://securecontact.me/steve%40solutionlaw.us>

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Sharon Rutberg
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 2:16 PM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Capacity to Sign Power of Attorney in WA

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. 3 Am.Jur.2d Agency sec. 12 (1996)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=0107351915&pubNum=0113289&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=TS&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)>. The law however, presumes that a person is competent until contrary proof is offered. Vo v. Pham, 81 Wn.App. 781, 784, 916 P.2d 462 (1996)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1996122907&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)>; 53 Am.Jur.2d Mentally Impaired Persons sec. 155 (1996)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=0107399935&pubNum=0113622&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=TS&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)>.
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." Page v. Prudential Life Ins. Co. of Am., 12 Wn.2d 101, 109, 120 P.2d 527 (1942)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103506&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)> (contracts); see Binder v. Binder, 50 Wn.2d 142, 148-49, 309 P.2d 1050 (1957)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1957118361&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)> (deeds); In re Eubank, 50 Wn.App. 611, 617, 749 P.2d 691 (1988)<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1988023796&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)> (testamentary capacity). Mental competency is a factual issue that must be determined at the time of the challenged transaction. Page, 12 Wn.2d at 109.<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103506&pubNum=804&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&fi=co_pp_sp_804_109&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_804_109> The challenging party must overcome the presumption of competency with clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. Page, 12 Wn.2d at 109<https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1942103506&pubNum=804&originatingDoc=I1ae91807f8ab11d98ac8f235252e36df&refType=RP&fi=co_pp_sp_804_109&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_804_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
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto: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
Tel. 253-235-4044
Fax 253-883-4055
 Send me a secure message<https://securecontact.me/steve%40solutionlaw.us>

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE:  This transmission may contain information belonging to the sender that is confidential and/or legally privileged.  The information is intended for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this transmission in error, please delete it immediately and notify us by telephone of the error so we may correct our records.

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto: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<mailto: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&revid=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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