Washington § 11.125.350 - Agent authority — Personal and family maintenance.

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

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

(i) The principal's children;

(ii) Other individuals legally entitled to be supported by the principal; and

(iii) The 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 subsection (1) of this section by:

(i) Purchase, lease, or other contract; or

(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 reasonable 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 subsection (1) of this section;

(e) Pay expenses for necessary health care and custodial care on behalf of the individuals described in subsection (1) of this section;

(f) Act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the health insurance portability and accountability act, sections 1171 through 1179 of the social security act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1320d, as amended, and applicable regulations, for the limited purpose of making decisions regarding the payment of costs and expenses arising from past, present, or future health care provided to the principal which was 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 subsection (1) of this section;

(h) Maintain credit and debit accounts for the convenience of the individuals described in subsection (1) of this section and open new accounts; and

(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 contributions to those organizations.

(2) Authority with respect to personal and family maintenance is neither dependent upon, nor limited by, authority that an agent may or may not have with respect to gifts under chapter 209, Laws of 2016.