The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 14 : Decedents Estates and Fiduciary Relations

Chapter 127 : Vermont Uniform Power of Attorney Act

Subchapter 001 : General Provisions

• § 4011. Co-agents and successor agents

  (a) A principal may designate two or more persons to act as co-agents. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, each co-agent may exercise its authority independently.

  (b) A principal may designate one or more successor agents to act if an agent resigns, dies, becomes incapacitated or unavailable, is not qualified to serve, or declines to serve. A principal may grant authority to designate one or more successor agents to an agent or other person designated by name, office, or function. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, a successor agent:

  (1) has the same authority as that granted to the original agent; and

  (2) may not act until all predecessor agents have resigned, died, become incapacitated or unavailable, are no longer qualified to serve, or have declined to serve.

  (c) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney and subsection (d) of this section, an agent who does not participate in or conceal a breach of fiduciary duty committed by another agent, including a predecessor agent, is not liable for the actions of the other agent.

  (d) An agent who has actual knowledge of a breach or imminent breach of fiduciary duty by another agent shall notify the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated or unavailable, take any action reasonably appropriate in the circumstances to safeguard the principal’s best interests. An agent who fails to notify the principal or take action as required by this subsection is liable for the reasonably foreseeable damages that could have been avoided if the agent had notified the principal or taken such action. (Added 2023, No. 60, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.)