"Rhode Island has not adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Perhaps it is time." Jeremy Howe
"Several states have adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.... aimed at making it easier for family members and others who have genuine concerns about the welfare of an elderly person to seek judicial redress against a fiduciary who is suspected to have abused his or her powers over an elderly person's financial affairs.
Those parties include the lprincipal him- or herself or an agent; a fiduciary acting for the principal; someone authorized to make healthcare decisions for the principal; the principal's spouse, parent, or descendant; a presumptive heir or named beneficiary; a governental agency having regulatory authority to protect the welfare of the principal; the principal's
caregiver; and a person asked to accept to the power.
By adopting statutes that give standing to a wide varety of parties or persons who can seek the aid of a court in protecting the interests and rights of the principal under a power-of-attorney instrument, states have recognized the problems associated with limiting the standing to sue, an attorney-in-fact to the principal, the principal's guardian, or the principal's estate. In short, section 116(a) represents a big step toward protecting elderly or incapacitated persons from unscrupulous conduct by attorneys-in-fact who are supposed to act solely in the principals' best interests."
Brad Pettit~Senior Attorney
The Lawletter
National Legal Research Group
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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.
They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for family law issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, support, and military family law.
Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.
