Uniform Laws are drafted by the Uniform Law Commission. They are suggested pieces of legislation that individual state legislatures can adopt, perhaps after making minor changes to the proposed language. Uniform laws can eliminate conflict in areas like child support where it is likely that there will be interaction between states in enforcing the law.
This guide provides links to print and online research sources, and statutes, cases, and forms dealing with powers of attorney for financial matters.
New Hampshire adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) in 2017. The UPOAA standardizes and modernizes the law of powers of attorney, providing greater protections against abuse and shielding innocent parties from liability. The act also provides a simple, customizable power of attorney form that anyone can use. A work group consisting of representatives of trust and estate attorneys, trust companies, elder law attorneys, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, the Bankers Association, AARP, UNH Law School, and New Hampshire Legal Assistance met over 14 months to compare the UPOAA to New Hampshire law and to adapt it to New Hampshire. The bill report on SB 230 by the House Committee on Judiciary stated that the final bill compiled current New Hampshire laws dealing with the powers of attorney into one statute enabling the public and practicing attorneys accessibility to the power of attorney process. Safeguards were put in place for the protection of principals, agents, and third-parties relying on powers of attorney.
Please remember that this guide is for information purposes only and is not comprehensive.
It is intended as a starting point for research, to illustrate the various sources of the law, and to provide guidance in their use.
NH Law About ... is not a substitute for the services of an attorney.