Michigan § 556.313 - Authority of agent; personal and family maintenance.

(1) Unless the power of attorney provides otherwise, language in a power granting general authority with respect to personal and family maintenance authorizes the agent to do all of the following:

(a) Perform the acts necessary to maintain the customary standard of living of the principal, the principal's spouse, and the following individuals, whether they are living when the power of attorney is executed or are born later:

(i) The principal's children.

(ii) Individuals legally entitled to be supported by the principal.

(iii) Individuals whom the principal has customarily supported or indicated the intent to support.

(b) Make periodic payments of child support and other family maintenance required by a court or governmental agency or an agreement to which the principal is a party.

(c) Provide living quarters for the individuals described in subdivision (a) by any the following:

(i) Purchase, lease, or other contract.

(ii) Paying the operating costs, including interest, amortization payments, repairs, improvements, and taxes, for premises owned by the principal or occupied by those individuals.

(d) Provide normal domestic help, usual vacations and travel expenses, and funds for shelter, clothing, food, appropriate education, including postsecondary and vocational education, and other current living costs for the individuals described in subdivision (a).

(e) Pay expenses for necessary health care and custodial care on behalf of the individuals described in subdivision (a).

(f) Act as the principal's personal representative under the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996, Public Law 104-191, sections 1171 to 1179 of the social security act, 42 USC 1320d to 1320d-8, and applicable regulations, in making decisions related to the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care consented to by the principal or anyone authorized under the law of this state to consent to health care on behalf of the principal.

(g) Continue any provision made by the principal for automobiles or other means of transportation, including registering, licensing, insuring, and replacing them, for the individuals described in subdivision (a).

(h) Maintain credit and debit accounts for the convenience of the individuals described in subdivision (a) and open new accounts for that purpose.

(i) Continue payments incidental to the membership or affiliation of the principal in a religious institution, club, society, order, or other organization or to continue an established pattern of contributions to those organizations.

(2) Authority with respect to personal and family maintenance is not dependent on, or limited by, authority that an agent may or may not have with respect to gifts under this act.