Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3 (2026)

Agent's duties.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 5601.3. Agent's duties.

(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any provision in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted appointment shall:

(1) Act in accordance with the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually known by the agent and, otherwise, in the principal's best interest.

(2) Act in good faith.

(3) Act only within the scope of authority granted in the power of attorney.

(b) Other duties.--Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted appointment shall:

(1) Act loyally for the principal's benefit.

(1.1) Keep the agent's funds separate from the principal's funds unless:

(i) the funds were not kept separate as of the date of the execution of the power of attorney; or

(ii) the principal commingles the funds after the date of the execution of the power of attorney and the agent is the principal's spouse.

(2) Act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent's ability to act impartially in the principal's best interest.

(3) Act with the care, competence and diligence ordinarily exercised by agents in similar circumstances.

(4) Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements and transactions made on behalf of the principal.

(5) Cooperate with a person who has authority to make health care decisions for the principal to carry out the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually known by the agent and, otherwise, act in the principal's best interest.

(6) Attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan, to the extent actually known by the agent, if preserving the plan is consistent with the principal's best interest based on all relevant factors, including:

(i) The value and nature of the principal's property.

(ii) The principal's foreseeable obligations and need for maintenance.

(iii) Minimization of taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation-skipping transfer and gift taxes.

(iv) Eligibility for a benefit, program or assistance under a statute or regulation.

(c) Nonliability of agent.--

(1) An agent that acts in good faith shall not be liable to a beneficiary of the principal's estate plan for failure to preserve the plan.

(2) An agent that acts with care, competence and diligence for the best interest of the principal shall not be liable solely because the agent also benefits from the act or has an individual or conflicting interest in relation to the property or affairs of the principal.

(3) If an agent is selected by the principal because of special skills or expertise possessed by the agent or in reliance on the agent's representation that the agent has special skills or expertise, the special skills or expertise must be considered in determining whether the agent has acted with care, competence and diligence under the circumstances.

(4) Absent a breach of duty to the principal, an agent shall not be liable if the value of the principal's property declines.

(5) An agent that exercises authority to delegate to another person the authority granted by the principal or that engages another person on behalf of the principal shall not be liable for an act, error of judgment or default of that person if the agent exercises care, competence and diligence in selecting and monitoring the person.

(d) Disclosure of receipts, disbursements or transactions.--

(1) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent shall not be required to disclose receipts, disbursements or transactions conducted on behalf of the principal unless ordered by a court or requested by the principal, a guardian, conservator, another fiduciary acting for the principal, governmental agency having authority to protect the welfare of the principal or, upon the death of the principal, the personal representative or successor in interest of the principal's estate.

(2) Within 30 days of the request, the agent shall either comply with the request or provide a writing or other record substantiating the reason additional time is needed, in which case the agent shall comply with the request within an additional 30 days.

(July 2, 2014, P.L.855, No.95, eff. Jan. 1, 2015)

2014 Amendment. Act 95 added section 5601.3. See section 9 of Act 95 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to application of law.

Cross References. Section 5601.3 is referred to in section 5601 of this title.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 13 cases (9 in the last 5 years), 2015–2025 · leading case: Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).

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Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). · cites it 4× “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

In Re: Est. of. E.M.F., Appeal of: Zuber, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 4× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1). The amendment also specified more detailed duties, such as the duties to: (1.”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). · cites it 4× “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

Est. of Eric S. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 3× “Accordingly, this Court held: Following our review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court’s finding that Appellant acted in a manner as to create a conflict of interest under 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(b)(2).[3] Furthermore, we find no abuse of discretion or legal error…”

M.L. Brenckman v. DHS (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). · cites it 2× “in the principal’s best interest[,]” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a) (emphasis added) and, [e]xcept as otherwise provided in the [POA], .”

Rellick-Smith, S. v. Rellick, B. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). · cites it 2× “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(b)(1) (obligating agent acting under POA to “act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent’s ability to act impartially in the principal’s best interest”); see also 20 Pa.”

Est. of Gritser, W. Appeal of: Scott, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 2× “Noting that Decedent created the trusts only shortly before his October 2019 death, Appellant argues that Appellee acted against Decedent’s clear, recent, and reasonable expectations in dissolving the certificates of deposit in violation of 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1), when the…”

KP Invest. v. Caples, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025). · cites it 2× “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3 (a), (b), (c)(1)-(2).”

In Re: I.M.R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “do-otoo Under 20 Pa. C.S. § 5601.3(a), an agent who has accepted appointment under under a a power attorney (other power of attorney (other than than one that that is limited to malting making decisions regarding regarding health care or mental health care) shall do the…”

needle v. T Rowe Price Grp. Inc. (E.D. Pa. 2022). “In three of these objections, Plaintiffs sought to surcharge Dosik for his actions as Rhea Needle’s agent, arguing that Dosik had violated his duties under 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3 (d). The other objections concerned Dosik’s alleged failure to account for the contents of a…”

needle v. T Rowe Price Grp. Inc. (E.D. Pa. 2022). “In three of these objections, Plaintiffs sought to surcharge Dosik for his actions as Rhea Needle’s agent, arguing that Dosik had violated his duties under 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3 (d). On February 12, 2020, the Orphans’ Court dismissed the three objections seeking the…”

Pwr of Atty of Carol Caples, Appeal of: Caples, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “Purcell accepted her appointment as POA, she became subject to the duties outlined in 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3 and, “[t]hus, any actions Ms.”

Show all 13 citing cases →

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(a) — 4 cases

M.L. Brenckman v. DHS (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). “in the principal’s best interest[,]” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a) (emphasis added) and, [e]xcept as otherwise provided in the [POA], .”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(a)(1) — 2 cases

In Re: Est. of. E.M.F., Appeal of: Zuber, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1). The amendment also specified more detailed duties, such as the duties to: (1.”

Est. of Gritser, W. Appeal of: Scott, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “Noting that Decedent created the trusts only shortly before his October 2019 death, Appellant argues that Appellee acted against Decedent’s clear, recent, and reasonable expectations in dissolving the certificates of deposit in violation of 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1), when the…”

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(b) — 2 cases

M.L. Brenckman v. DHS (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). “in the principal’s best interest[,]” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a) (emphasis added) and, [e]xcept as otherwise provided in the [POA], .”

In Re: Est. of. E.M.F., Appeal of: Zuber, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1). The amendment also specified more detailed duties, such as the duties to: (1.”

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(b)(1) — 1 case

Rellick-Smith, S. v. Rellick, B. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(b)(1) (obligating agent acting under POA to “act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent’s ability to act impartially in the principal’s best interest”); see also 20 Pa.”

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(b)(2) — 6 cases

Est. of Eric S. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Accordingly, this Court held: Following our review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court’s finding that Appellant acted in a manner as to create a conflict of interest under 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(b)(2).[3] Furthermore, we find no abuse of discretion or legal error…”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

In Re: Est. of. E.M.F., Appeal of: Zuber, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1). The amendment also specified more detailed duties, such as the duties to: (1.”

— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5601.3(b)(6) — 3 cases

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

In Re: Est. of. E.M.F., Appeal of: Zuber, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a)(1). The amendment also specified more detailed duties, such as the duties to: (1.”

Est. of Eric S. Waite, Appeal of: Lisa D. Waite (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “20 Pa.C.S. § 5601.3(a), (b)(1)-(3), (6), (c)(1)-(2).”

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