A person asked to accept a durable power of attorney must accept it unless a refusal ground applies, or can timely request certification, counsel opinion, or an English translation first.
Sec. 751.201. ACCEPTANCE OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS. (a) Unless one or more grounds for refusal under Section 751.206 exist, a person who is presented with and asked to accept a durable power of attorney by an agent with authority to act under the power of attorney shall: (1) accept the power of attorney; or (2) before accepting the power of attorney: (A) request an agent's certification under Section 751.203 or an opinion of counsel under Section 751.204 not later than the 10th business day after the date the power of attorney is presented, except as provided by Subsection (c); or (B) if applicable, request an English translation under Section 751.205 not later than the fifth business day after the date the power of attorney is presented, except as provided by Subsection (c). (b) Unless one or more grounds for refusal under Section 751.206 exist and except as provided by Subsection (c), a person who requests: (1) an agent's certification must accept the durable power of attorney not later than the seventh business day after the date the person receives the requested certification; and (2) an opinion of counsel must accept the durable power of attorney not later than the seventh business day after the date the person receives the requested opinion. (c) An agent presenting a durable power of attorney for acceptance and the person to whom the power of attorney is presented may agree to extend a period prescribed by Subsection (a) or (b). (d) If an English translation of a durable power of attorney is requested as authorized by Subsection (a)(2)(B), the power of attorney is not considered presented for acceptance under Subsection (a) until the date the requestor receives the translation. On and after that date, the power of attorney shall be treated as a power of attorney originally prepared in English for all the purposes of this subchapter. (e) A person is not required to accept a durable power of attorney under this section if the agent refuses to or does not provide a requested certification, opinion of counsel, or English translation under this subchapter. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 834 (H.B. 1974), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2017.