# S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-9: Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority

> South Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-9

## Section

- **Citation:** S.D. Codified Laws § 59-12-9
- **Heading:** Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority
- **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 59-12-9

## Text

(1) A power of attorney terminates when:

(a) The principal dies;

(b) The principal becomes incapacitated, if the power of attorney is not durable;

(c) The principal revokes the power of attorney;

(d) The power of attorney provides that it terminates;

(e) The purpose of a limited or special power of attorney is accomplished;

(f) The principal revokes the agent's authority or the agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns, and the power of attorney does not provide for another agent to act under the power of attorney; or

(g) Pursuant to subdivision 59-12-7 (2).

(2) An agent's authority terminates when:

(a) The principal revokes the authority;

(b) The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns;

(c) An action is filed for divorce or annulment of the agent's marriage to the principal, or for their legal separation, or for a protection order, unless the power of attorney otherwise provides;

(d) The power of attorney terminates.

(3) Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent's authority is exercisable until the authority terminates under subdivision (2) of this section, notwithstanding a lapse of time since the execution of the power of attorney.

(4) Termination of an agent's authority or of a power of attorney is not effective as to the agent or any other person that, without actual knowledge of the termination, acts in good faith under the power of attorney. An act performed under this section, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, binds the principal and the principal's successors in interest.

(5) Incapacity of the principal of a power of attorney that is not durable does not revoke or terminate the power of attorney as to an agent or other person that, without actual knowledge of the incapacity, acts in good faith under the power of attorney. An act performed under this section, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, binds the principal and the principal's successors in interest.

(6) The execution of a power of attorney does not revoke a power of attorney previously executed by the principal unless the subsequent power of attorney provides that the previous power of attorney is revoked or that all other powers of attorney are revoked.

Source: SL 2020, ch 214, § 9.

## 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)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T59_C12_S59-12-9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.