New Jersey Statutes 46:2B-8.13. Fiduciary status and duty to account
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 46:2B-8.13
- Attorney-in-fact: A person who, acting as an agent, is given written authorization by another person to transact business for him (her) out of court.
- Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
- Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
a. An attorney-in-fact has a fiduciary duty to the principal, and to the guardian of the property of the principal if the principal has been adjudicated an incapacitated person, to act within the powers delegated by the power of attorney and solely for the benefit of the principal.
b. The attorney-in-fact shall maintain accurate books and records of all financial transactions. The principal, a guardian or conservator appointed for the principal, and the personal representative of the principal’s estate may require the attorney-in-fact to render an accounting. The Superior Court may, upon application of any heir or other next friend of the principal, require the attorney-in-fact to render an accounting if satisfied that the principal is incapacitated and there is doubt or concern whether the attorney-in-fact is acting within the powers delegated by the power-of-attorney, or is acting solely for the benefit of the principal.
L.2000,c.109,s.13.