An elderly father is diagnosed with progressive dementia and signs a comprehensive power of attorney in favor of his daughter. The instrument expressly authorizes her to sell his house, manage his investments, pay his bills, sign deeds and contracts, and make virtually any other legal or business decision for him. She is not limited to one transaction or one business sector — her authority sweeps across nearly every aspect of his affairs. When she signs documents, they bind her father with the same legal effect as if he had signed personally. Which classification of agent best describes the daughter's authority?
Correct Answer
B) Universal agent
The power of attorney sweeps across nearly all of the father's affairs — sales, investments, bills, signings — without limiting the daughter to a single transaction or business area. Authority that broad, created by a comprehensive power of attorney, is the universal agent classification.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
In real estate, a client is someone to whom the agent owes fiduciary duties through an agency relationship, while a customer is a third party to whom the agent owes only honesty and fair dealing.
An arrangement where a brokerage assigns separate agents within the firm to represent the buyer and seller in the same transaction, allowing each client to have dedicated representation.
A situation where a single agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction.
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- → A property manager discovers that a rental unit has a significant mold problem. The manager repairs the visible mold but does not inform the property owner about the extent of the damage or the potential liability. Has the property manager violated any agency duty?
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Previous Question
A brokerage assigns one licensee to advocate exclusively for the seller and a different licensee in the same office to advocate exclusively for the buyer in the same transaction. What agency arrangement does this describe?
Next Question
Sandra signs an exclusive listing agreement with broker Kevin to sell her home, and Kevin alone holds the contract with her. During an open house, prospective buyer Marcus asks Kevin directly whether Sandra would accept $15,000 below list price. Kevin politely declines to share that figure, explaining that he must protect Sandra's confidential negotiating position, although he confirms every offer Marcus submits will be presented promptly. Kevin owes confidentiality, loyalty, full disclosure of material facts, accounting, and reasonable care exclusively to Sandra. Which representational status does Kevin hold in this transaction?