New Mexico § 45-5B-301 - Statutory form power of attorney
Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5B-301 — Statutory form power of attorney, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 45-5B-301. Statutory form power of attorney
A document substantially in the following form may be used to create a statutory form
power of attorney that has the meaning and effect prescribed by the Uniform Power
of Attorney Act: This power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning
your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property
(including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself. The meaning of authority over subjects listed on this form is explained in the Uniform
Power of Attorney Act. This power of attorney does not authorize the agent to make health care decisions
for you. You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise, generally the agent's authority will continue until
you die or revoke the power of attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for
you. Your agent is entitled to reasonable compensation unless you state otherwise in the
Special Instructions. This form provides for designation of one agent. If you wish to name more than one agent, you may name a co-agent in the Special
Instructions. Co-agents are not required to act together unless you include that requirement in
the Special Instructions. If your agent is unable or unwilling to act for you, your power of attorney will end
unless you have named a successor agent. You may also name a second successor agent. This power of attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in
the Special Instructions. If you have questions about the power of attorney or the authority you are granting
to your agent, you should seek legal advice before signing this form. name the following person as my agent: Name of Agent: Agent's Address: Agent's Telephone Number: If my agent is unable or unwilling to act for me, I name as my successor agent: Name of Successor Agent: Successor Agent's Address: Successor Agent's Telephone Number: If my successor agent is unable or unwilling to act for me, I name as my second successor
agent: Name of Second Successor Agent: Second Successor Agent's Address: Second Successor Agent's Telephone Number: I grant my agent and any successor agent general authority to act for me with respect
to the following subjects as defined in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act: (INITIAL each subject you want to include in the agent's general authority. If you wish to grant general authority over all of the subjects, you may initial
“All Preceding Subjects” instead of initialing each subject.) My agent MAY NOT do any of the following specific acts for me UNLESS I have INITIALED
the specific authority listed below: (CAUTION: Granting any of the following will give your agent the authority to take
actions that could significantly reduce your property or change how your property
is distributed at your death. INITIAL ONLY the specific authority you WANT to give your agent.) An agent that is not my ancestor, spouse or descendant MAY NOT use my property to
benefit the agent or a person to whom the agent owes an obligation of support unless
I have included that authority in the Special Instructions. You may give special instructions on the following lines: This power of attorney is effective immediately unless I have stated otherwise in
the Special Instructions. If it becomes necessary for a court to appoint a conservator or guardian of my estate
or guardian of my person, I nominate the following person(s) for appointment: Name of Nominee for conservator of my estate: Nominee's Address: Nominee's Telephone Number: Name of Nominee for guardian of my person: Nominee's Address: Nominee's Telephone Number: Any person, including my agent, may rely upon the validity of this power of attorney
or a copy of it unless that person knows it has terminated or is invalid. Your Signature: Date: Your Name Printed: Your Address: Your Telephone Number: State of (County) of This instrument was acknowledged before me on __________________, ____________________ (Date) by _________________________ (Name of Principal). (Seal, if any) Signature of notarial officer: My commission expires: Agent's Duties When you accept the authority granted under this power of attorney, a special legal
relationship is created between you and the principal. This relationship imposes upon you legal duties that continue until you resign or
the power of attorney is terminated or revoked. You must: 1. do what you know the principal reasonably expects you to do with the principal's
property or, if you do not know the principal's expectations, act in the principal's
best interest; 2. act in good faith; 3. do nothing beyond the authority granted in this power of attorney; and 4. disclose your identity as an agent whenever you act for the principal by writing
or printing the name of the principal and signing your own name as “agent” in the
following manner: ______________________________________________ by ____________________________________ as Agent (Principal's Name) (Your Signature) Unless the Special Instructions in this power of attorney state otherwise, you must
also: 1. act loyally for the principal's benefit; 2. avoid conflicts that would impair your ability to act in the principal's best interest; 3. act with care, competence and diligence; 4. keep a record of all receipts, disbursements and transactions made on behalf of
the principal; 5. cooperate with any person that has authority to make health care decisions for
the principal to do what you know the principal reasonably expects or, if you do not
know the principal's expectations, to act in the principal's best interest; and 6. attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan if you know the plan and preserving
the plan is consistent with the principal's best interest. Termination of Agent's Authority You must stop acting on behalf of the principal if you learn of any event that terminates
this power of attorney or your authority under this power of attorney. Events that terminate a power of attorney or your authority to act under a power
of attorney include: 1. death of the principal; 2. the principal's revocation of the power of attorney or your authority; 3. the occurrence of a termination event stated in the power of attorney; 4. the purpose of the power of attorney is fully accomplished; or 5. if you are married to the principal, a legal action is filed with a court to end
your marriage, or for your legal separation, unless the Special Instructions in this
power of attorney state that such an action will not terminate your authority. Liability of Agent The meaning of the authority granted to you is defined in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. If you violate the Uniform Power of Attorney Act or act outside the authority granted,
you may be liable for any damages caused by your violation. If there is anything about this document or your duties that you do not understand,
you should seek legal advice.”
Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 45-5B-301
What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5B-301 cover?
Section 45-5B-301 ("Statutory form power of attorney") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Mexico § 45-5B-301?
A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5B-301" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Mexico law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.
How does New Mexico § 45-5B-301 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.