# S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-8: When power of attorney is effective

> South Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-8

## Section

- **Citation:** S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-8
- **Heading:** When power of attorney is effective
- **Jurisdiction:** South Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SD Code / Title 59 / Chapter 12 / Section 59-12-8

## Text

(1) A power of attorney is effective when executed unless the principal provides in the power of attorney that it becomes effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency.

(2) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency, the principal, in the power of attorney, may authorize one or more persons to determine in a writing or other record that the event or contingency has occurred.

(3) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the principal's incapacity and the principal has not authorized a person to determine whether the principal is incapacitated, or the person authorized is unable or unwilling to make the determination, the power of attorney becomes effective upon a determination in a writing or other record by:

(a) A physician or licensed psychologist that the principal is incapacitated within the meaning in subsection 59-12-1 (5)(a); or

(b) An attorney at law, a judge, or an appropriate governmental official that the principal is incapacitated within the meaning in subsection 59-12-1 (5)(b).

(4) A person authorized by the principal in the power of attorney to determine that the principal is incapacitated may act as the principal's personal representative pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Sections 1171 through 1179 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320(d), and applicable regulations, to obtain access to the principal's health care information and communicate with the principal's health care provider.

Source: SL 2020, ch 214, § 8; SL 2022, ch 187, § 1.

## Nearby sections

- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-2 Applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-2.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-4.1 Notary exception--Vehicle title transfers to insurers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-4.1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-5 Validity of power of attorney](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-5.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-7 Nomination of conservator or guardian--Relation of agent to court-appointed fiduciary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-7.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-8 When power of attorney is effective](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-8.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-9 Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-9.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-10 Coagents and successor agents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-10.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-13 Agent's duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-13.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-14 Exoneration of agent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-14.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-15 Judicial relief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-15.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-16 Agent's liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-16.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-17 Agent's resignation--Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-17.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-18 Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-18.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.