(a) Unless the personal power of attorney otherwise provides, and after taking into consideration the principal's resources, language in a personal power of attorney granting general authority with respect to personal and family maintenance authorizes the agent to: (1) Perform the acts necessary to maintain the usual and customary standard of living of the principal, the principal's spouse, minor children, disabled adult children, children who are full time students under the age of 25, and dependents as defined under Internal Revenue Code § 152 [26 U.S.C. § 152]; (2) Provide living quarters for the individuals described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section by: a. Purchase, lease, or other contract; or b. Paying the operating costs, including interest, amortization payments, repairs, improvements, and taxes, for premises owned by the principal or occupied by those individuals; (3) Provide funds for shelter, clothing, food, appropriate education, including postsecondary and vocational education, and other current living costs for the individuals described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; (4) Pay expenses for necessary health care and custodial care on behalf of the individuals described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; (5) Act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [P.L. 104-191], §§ 1171 through 1179 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., as amended, and applicable regulations, to obtain information to make decisions relating 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; (6) 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 paragraph (a)(1) of this section; (7) Maintain credit and debit accounts for the convenience of the individuals described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and open new accounts; (8) 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; and (9) Continue usual and existing payments for domestic help, usual vacations and travel expenses. (b) The agent shall 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) 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 this chapter.
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