South Dakota Codified Laws 59-12-19. Liability for refusal to accept acknowledged power of attorney
(1) A person shall accept a South Dakota compliant power of attorney or request a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under subdivision 59-12-18(4) no later than ten business days after presentation of the power of attorney for acceptance. If a person requests a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under subdivision 59-12-18(4), the person shall accept the power of attorney no later than five business days after receipt of the certification, translation, or opinion of counsel. A person may not require an additional or different form of power of attorney for authority granted in the power of attorney presented.
(2) A person is not required to accept a South Dakota compliant power of attorney if:
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 59-12-19
- Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- 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) The person is not otherwise required to engage in a transaction with the principal in the same circumstances;
(b) Engaging in a transaction with the agent or the principal in the same circumstances would be inconsistent with state or federal law;
(c) The person has actual knowledge of the termination of the agent’s authority or of the power of attorney before exercise of the power;
(d) A request for a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under subdivision 59-12-18(4) is refused;
(e) The person in good faith believes that the power is not valid or that the agent does not have the authority to perform the act requested, whether or not a certification, a translation, or an opinion of counsel under subdivision 59-12-18(4) has been requested or provided; or
(f) The person makes, or has actual knowledge that another person has made, a report to the South Dakota Department of Social Services, South Dakota Department of Human Services, or law enforcement stating a good faith belief that the principal may be subject to physical or financial abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment by the agent or a person acting for or with the agent.
(3) A person that refuses in violation of this section to accept a South Dakota compliant power of attorney is subject to:
(a) A court order mandating acceptance of the power of attorney; and
(b) Liability for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in any action or proceeding that confirms the validity of the power of attorney or mandates acceptance of the power of attorney.
Source: SL 2020, ch 214, § 19.