(1) In a power of attorney, a principal may nominate a conservator or guardian for consideration by the court. Except for good cause shown or disqualification, the court shall make its appointment in accordance with the principal’s most recent nomination. A guardian appointed under this section shall be subject to the provisions of § 59-7-11.

(2) If, after a principal executes a power of attorney, a court appoints a conservator or other fiduciary charged with the management of some or all of the principal’s property, the power of attorney is terminated and the agent shall account to the conservator or other court-appointed fiduciary and promptly deliver any property of the principal in the agent’s possession to the conservator or other court-appointed fiduciary unless otherwise ordered by the court.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 59-12-7

  • 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.
  • 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
  • Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

Source: SL 2020, ch 214, § 7.