Ohio Code § 1337.34

Ohio Code § 1337.34. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 1337.34.

(A) Notwithstanding provisions in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted appointment

shall do all of the following: (1) Act in accordance with the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually

known by the agent and, otherwise, in the principal's best interest; (2) Act in good faith; (3) Act only within the scope of authority granted in the power of attorney; (4) Attempt to preserve the principal's estate plan to the extent actually known by the

agent if preserving the plan is consistent with the principal's best interest based

on all relevant factors, including all of the following: (a) The value and nature of the principal's property; (b) The principal's foreseeable obligations and need for maintenance; (c) Minimization of taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation-skipping

transfer, and gift taxes; (d) Eligibility for a benefit, a program, or assistance under a statute or regulation. (B) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent that has accepted

appointment shall do all of the following: (1) Act loyally for the principal's benefit; (2) Act so as not to create a conflict of interest that impairs the agent's ability to

act impartially in the principal's best interest; (3) Act with the care, competence, and diligence ordinarily exercised by agents in similar

circumstances; (4) Keep a record of all receipts, disbursements, and transactions made on behalf of

the principal; (5) Cooperate with a person that has authority to make health-care decisions for the

principal to carry out the principal's reasonable expectations to the extent actually

known by the agent and, otherwise, act in the principal's best interest. (C) An agent that acts in good faith is not liable to any beneficiary of the principal's

estate plan for failure to preserve the plan. (D) An agent that acts with care, competence, and diligence for the best interest of

the principal is not liable solely because the agent also benefits from the act or

has an individual or conflicting interest in relation to the property or affairs of

the principal. (E) If an agent is selected by the principal because of special skills or expertise possessed

by the agent or in reliance on the agent's representation that the agent has special

skills or expertise, the special skills or expertise must be considered in determining

whether the agent has acted with care, competence, and diligence under the circumstances. (F) Absent a breach of duty to the principal, an agent is not liable if the value of

the principal's property declines. (G) An agent that exercises authority to delegate to another person the authority granted

by the principal or that engages another person on behalf of the principal is not

liable for an act, error of judgment, or default of that person if the agent exercises

care, competence, and diligence in selecting and monitoring the person. (H) Except as otherwise provided in the power of attorney, an agent is not required to

disclose receipts, disbursements, or transactions conducted on behalf of the principal

unless ordered by a court or requested by the principal, a guardian, a conservator,

another fiduciary acting for the principal, a governmental agency having authority

to protect the welfare of the principal, or, upon the death of the principal, by the

personal representative or successor in interest of the principal's estate.  If so requested, within thirty days the agent shall comply with the request or provide

a writing or other record substantiating why additional time is needed and shall comply

with the request within an additional thirty days.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 1337.34
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 1337.34?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 1337.34 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 1337.34 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.