A. As used in this section, a gift "for the benefit of" a person includes a gift to a trust, an account under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act [46-7-11 to 46-7-34 NMSA 1978] and a tuition savings account or prepaid tuition plan as defined under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

B. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, language in a power of attorney granting general authority with respect to gifts authorizes the agent only to:

(1) make outright to or for the benefit of a person a gift of any of the principal's property, including by the exercise of a presently exercisable general power of appointment held by the principal, in an amount per donee not to exceed the annual dollar limits of the federal gift tax exclusion under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, without regard to whether the federal gift tax exclusion applies to the gift, or if the principal's spouse agrees to consent to a split gift pursuant to Section 2513 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in an amount per donee not to exceed twice the annual federal gift tax exclusion limit; and

(2) consent, pursuant to Section 2513 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to the splitting of a gift made by the principal's spouse in an amount per donee not to exceed the aggregate annual gift tax exclusions for both spouses.

C. An agent may make a gift of the principal's property only as the agent determines is consistent with the principal's objectives if actually known by the agent and, if unknown, as the agent determines is consistent with the principal's best interest based on all relevant factors, including:

(1) the value and nature of the principal's property;

(2) the principal's foreseeable obligations and need for maintenance;

(3) minimization of taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation-skipping transfer and gift taxes;

(4) eligibility for a benefit, a program or assistance under a statute or regulation; and

(5) the principal's personal history of making or joining in making gifts.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 135, § 217; 1978 Comp., § 46B-1-217 recompiled as § 45-5B-217 by Laws 2011, ch. 124, § 102.

Recompilations. — Laws 2011, ch. 124, § 102 recompiled former 46B-1-217 NMSA 1978 as 45-5B-217 NMSA 1978, effective January 1, 2012.