Can the Agent Sell the Home to the Executor Before the Principal's Death?

Full question:

My sisters had a durable poa made in April giving them all decision making and added a statement the poa would continue after her death. In moms will she left the house and property to me.They resented this and stated they did not want me to have it. My mother passed away on May 6 and the executor has not acted on the will. This is August and when I confronted the executor about this he stated he owned the house. One of the sisters used the poa to transfer the deed to the executor fifteen days before moms death. Can the actions of the poa be overturned? I need to know if I can overturn the poa?

• Category: Power of Attorney
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Mississippi

Answer:

A power of attorney lapses on the death of the maker (principal), and cannot be stated to be effective beyond the principal's death. It is possible, if the court finds the transfer was self-dealing. It will be a matter of subjective determination for the court to determine whether there was a breach of fiduciary duty, based on all the facts and circumstances involved. The standards of care are measured against the subjective interpretation of how a "reasonable" person would act in similar circumstances.

Fiduciaries, such as an agent under a power of attorney or executor, owe two main duties to their clients: a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires that fiduciaries act solely in the interest of their clients, rather than in their own interest. Thus fiduciaries must not derive any direct or indirect profit from their position, and must avoid potential conflicts of interest. The duty of care requires that fiduciaries perform their functions with a high level of competence and thoroughness, in accordance with industry standards. Commingling of funds is allowed if stated so in the power of attorney document. Otherwise, the fiduciary may be accused of converting the funds to personal use. The agent should keep records of expenditures made on behalf of the principal. You may file a petition with the court to probate the will. An accounting may be petitioned for and ordered by a court. We strongly suggest you consult a local attorney who can review all the facts and documents involved.

The elements of a cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty are:

(1) Plaintiff and Defendant share a relationship whereby:

(a) Plaintiff reposes trust and confidence in Defendant, and

(b) Defendant undertakes such trust and assumes a duty to advise, counsel and/or
protect Plaintiff;

(2) Defendant breaches its duties to Plaintiff; and

(3) Plaintiff suffers damages.

The elements of a claim for breach of fiduciary duty are not fixed as the claim may arise from virtually any case where one party accepts the trust and assumes the duty to protect a weaker party.

Affirmative defenses to a claim for breach of fiduciary duty can include, but are not limited to:

(1) The passing of the statute of limitations for filing the claim.

(2) Lack of fiduciary relationship (for example, when the parties did not enter a fiduciary relationship, but rather conducted business in an arm’s length transaction there is no duty to protect the other party or disclose facts which the other party could have discovered by its own diligence.)

(3) Lack of standing

(4) Approval (for example, if the alleged actions followed full disclosure to and the consent of the Plaintiff)

(5) Business judgment rule (ex. that the corporate fiduciary's actions were motivated by a bona fide interest in the well being of the corporation where shareholders are the ones owed the fiduciary duty)

We are prohibited from giving legal advice, as this service provides information of a general legal nature. We suggest you consult a local attorney who can review all the facts and documents involved.