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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear Colleagues:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Question:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Can a Power of Attorney grant an Attorney-in-Fact the ability to designate a successor AIF?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Facts:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> An elderly client identified her son as her AIF in both financial and health care Powers of Attorney, but is unable to identify an alternate agent. She does not want to interview and select a prospective guardian; if her son cannot assume the duties or becomes unable to serve, she prefers that he choose the successor AIF.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I reviewed RCW 11.94 and 11.95 and researched Washington case law, and do not see that this is specifically prohibited or permitted. The court in <i><span style='color:black'>Bryant v. Bryant</span></i><span style='color:black'>, 125 Wn.2d 113, 118 (1994), held: “Powers of attorney are strictly construed. (Citation omitted.) Accordingly, the instrument will be held to grant only those powers which are specified, and the agent may neither go beyond nor deviate from the express provisions. (Citation omitted.)” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>If the Power of Attorney contains the language described in RCW 11.94.050(1), indicating that the Agent has all the powers the principal would have if alive and competent, and includes the right to identify a successor AIF, is this sufficient? This could be used to restrict “any other interested person” from petitioning the court under RCW 11.94.100(1)(e). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>As a safeguard for the principal, before designating a successor, I believe the first AIF should be qualified by following certain requirements of RCW 11.36.010 for a personal representative (cannot be <a name=11.36.010><span style='color:black'>of unsound mind or convicted of any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude</span></a>). I assume the successor AIF would have to petition the court under RCW 11.94.090(1)(h) to confirm their authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I would appreciate your thoughts, including why this is or might be contrary to law or the standard of practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Carrie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Carrie M. Kovacevich, J.D.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Lakeview Law, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>2470 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 101<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Seattle, Washington 98109-2282<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Work: (206) 367-6962<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>E-mail: </span><a href="mailto:carrie@lakeviewlaw.com"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>carrie@lakeviewlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Web: </span><a href="http://www.lakeviewlaw.com"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.lakeviewlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>_______________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This internet e-mail message (including any attachments) may contain Privileged/Confidential Information that is intended only for the addressee. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), please immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail or call (206) 367-6962, and delete this message and attachments, if any. We appreciate your assistance in correcting this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>