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Agency PracticeAgency AgreementsNSWMEDIUM

In NSW, what happens to an agency agreement if the principal dies before the property is sold?

Correct Answer

A) The agency ends automatically on the death

Agency agreements are personal contracts that automatically terminate upon the death of the principal. A new agreement would need to be established with the legal representatives of the estate if they wish to continue with the agent's services.

Answer Options
A
The agency ends automatically on the death
B
It continues automatically with the deceased's estate
C
It continues only if the agent elects to keep acting
D
It is suspended for 30 days while probate is sought

Why This Is the Correct Answer

An agent acts on the principal's authority, and the principal's death revokes that authority by operation of law. If the estate wants to sell, the executor or administrator must sign a new agency agreement.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

agency terminationprincipal deathpersonal contractestateautomatic termination
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