Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4200. Section 4200.
Only a person having the capacity to contract is qualified to act as an attorney-in-fact.
ARTICLE 1. Qualifications and Authority of Attorneys-in-Fact [4200. - 4207.]
Cal. Probate Code - PROB 1.
in effectCal. Probate Code - PROB § 4201. Section 4201.
Designating an unqualified person as an attorney-in-fact does not affect the immunities of third persons nor relieve the unqualified person of any applicable duties to the principal or the principal’s successors.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4202. Section 4202.
(a)
A principal may designate more than one attorney-in-fact in one or more powers of attorney.
(b)
Authority granted to two or more attorneys-in-fact is exercisable only by their unanimous action.
(c)
If a vacancy occurs, the remaining attorneys-in-fact may exercise the authority conferred as if they are the only attorneys-in-fact.
(d)
If an attorney-in-fact is unavailable because of absence, illness, or other temporary incapacity, the other attorneys-in-fact may exercise the authority under the power of attorney as if they are the only attorneys-in-fact, where necessary to accomplish the purposes of the power of attorney or to avoid irreparable injury to the principal’s interests.
(e)
An attorney-in-fact is not liable for the actions of other attorneys-in-fact, unless the attorney-in-fact participates in, knowingly acquiesces in, or conceals a breach of fiduciary duty committed by another attorney-in-fact.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4203. Section 4203.
(a)
A principal may designate one or more successor attorneys-in-fact to act if the authority of a predecessor attorney-in-fact terminates.
(b)
The principal may grant authority to another person, designated by name, by office, or by function, including the initial and any successor attorneys-in-fact, to designate at any time one or more successor attorneys-in-fact.
(c)
A successor attorney-in-fact is not liable for the actions of the predecessor attorney-in-fact.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4204. Section 4204.
An attorney-in-fact is entitled to reasonable compensation for services rendered to the principal as attorney-in-fact and to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred as a result of acting as attorney-in-fact.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4205. Section 4205.
(a)
An attorney-in-fact may revocably delegate authority to perform mechanical acts to one or more persons qualified to exercise the authority delegated.
(b)
The attorney-in-fact making a delegation remains responsible to the principal for the exercise or nonexercise of the delegated authority.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4206. Section 4206.
(a)
If, following execution of a durable power of attorney, a court of the principal’s domicile appoints a conservator of the estate, guardian of the estate, or other fiduciary charged with the management of all of the principal’s property or all of the principal’s property except specified exclusions, the attorney-in-fact is accountable to the fiduciary as well as to the principal. Except as provided in subdivision (b), the fiduciary has the same power to revoke or amend the durable power of attorney that the principal would have had if not incapacitated, subject to any required court approval.
(b)
If a conservator of the estate is appointed by a court of this state, the conservator can revoke or amend the durable power of attorney only if the court in which the conservatorship proceeding is pending has first made an order authorizing or requiring the fiduciary to modify or revoke the durable power of attorney and the modification or revocation is in accord with the order.
(c)
This section is not subject to limitation in the power of attorney.
Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 4207. Section 4207.
(a)
An attorney-in-fact may resign by any of the following means:
(1)
If the principal is competent, by giving notice to the principal.
(2)
If a conservator has been appointed, by giving notice to the conservator.
(3)
On written agreement of a successor who is designated in the power of attorney or pursuant to the terms of the power of attorney to serve as attorney-in-fact.
(4)
Pursuant to a court order.
(b)
This section is not subject to limitation in the power of attorney.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026