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Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesTermination_and_liabilityEASY

A California buyer's agent learns that the buyer-client has been declared legally incapacitated due to a severe medical condition. Under California law, what is the effect on the agency relationship?

Correct Answer

A) The agency is terminated because a principal must have legal capacity to authorize an agent's actions

Under California Civil Code §2356(a), an agency is terminated by the incapacity of the principal to contract. Legal capacity is a prerequisite for a valid agency relationship because the principal must be able to provide informed consent and authorize the agent's actions. Once the buyer is declared legally incapacitated, the agency ends by operation of law. To resume representation, a new agency relationship would need to be established with a legally authorized representative — such as a court-appointed conservator or a person holding a valid durable power of attorney.

Answer Options
A
The agency is terminated because a principal must have legal capacity to authorize an agent's actions
B
The agency is suspended automatically and resumes if and when the buyer regains legal capacity
C
The agency transfers automatically to the buyer's closest next of kin, who assumes the role of principal
D
The agency continues in effect because the buyer-broker agreement remains a valid, signed contract

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

incapacityterminationlegal_capacityCivil_Code_2356

Related Concepts

A non-agency relationship where the broker facilitates a real estate transaction without representing either party, owing limited duties of honesty, fairness, and competence to both.

The legal principle that holds a broker responsible for the actions of their agents and employees performed within the scope of the agency relationship.

An agency relationship created when a principal's actions or words lead a third party to reasonably believe that an agent has authority, and the principal fails to correct this belief.

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