Maryland

Under the baseline §4-102(b) paper-will execution rule, interested witnesses (including beneficiaries) MAY serve as attesting witnesses without forfeiture or invalidation. The narrow exception is the remotely-witnessed-will pathway: per Md. Est. & Trusts §4-102(d)(3)(ii), the notary public certifying a remotely-witnessed will may not also be one of the two attesting witnesses. This contrasts with the §17-110(b) POA rule, where the notary CAN double-count as one of the two POA witnesses.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND WARNING (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §17-202) You should be very careful in deciding whether or not to sign this document. The powers granted by you (the principal) in this document are broad and sweeping. This power of attorney authorizes another person (your agent) to make decisions concerning your property for you (the principal). Your agent will be able to make decisions and act with respect to your property (including your money) whether or not you are able to act for yourself. You should select someone you trust to serve as your agent. Unless you specify otherwise, generally the agent's authority will continue until you die or revoke the power of attorney or the agent resigns or is unable to act for you. You need not grant all of the powers listed below. If you choose to grant less than all of the listed powers, you may instead use a Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney and mark on that Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney which powers you intend to delegate to your attorney-in-fact (the Agent) and which you do not want the Agent to exercise. You should understand that granting your agent the authority to take actions under this power of attorney may: (1) Significantly reduce your property and limit your access to your assets; (2) Change how your property is distributed under your existing estate plans to your heirs or others on your death; or (3) Result in tax consequences to yourself or others. This power of attorney becomes effective immediately unless you state otherwise in the Special Instructions. You should obtain competent legal advice before you sign this power of attorney if you have any questions about the document or the authority you are granting to your agent.

General categories: A. Real property transactions B. Tangible personal property transactions C. Stocks, bonds, and securities transactions D. Banking and financial institution transactions E. Business operating transactions F. Insurance and annuity transactions G. Estate, trust, and other beneficiary transactions H. Claims and litigation I. Personal and family maintenance J. Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service K. Retirement plan transactions L. Tax matters Hot powers (require separate authorization): 1. Make gifts on my behalf (Md. Est. & Trusts §17-203) 2. Create, amend, revoke, or terminate an inter vivos trust 3. Change beneficiary designations on insurance, retirement, or other accounts 4. Authorize another person to exercise the authority granted under this Power of Attorney (sub-delegation under Md. Est. & Trusts §17-203) 5. Create or change rights of survivorship

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AGENT (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §17-202) Simply because you are granted a power of attorney does not mean you should exercise it. You are bound by an utmost duty of loyalty to the interests of the principal. You may not act in your own self-interest. You are further limited by legal duties to the principal that govern your actions. When exercising the authority granted in this power of attorney, you shall consider the stated intentions of the principal regarding the principal's self-interest, family, estate, and taxes.

Md. Health-Gen. §5-602(c)(2)(ii): the health care agent of the declarant may not serve as a witness to the advance directive. Combined with the §5-602(c)(2)(i) rule that at least one witness must not knowingly be a beneficiary of the principal's estate or otherwise entitled to any portion of the declarant's estate, the practical result is that the named agent is structurally barred from witnessing and at least one second witness must be disinterested by estate-share.