- (a) A third party who acts in good faith reliance on a declaration instrument that is legally executed shall not be subject to civil liability to any greater extent than if the third party were dealing directly with the declarant as a fully competent and living person. Such third party shall not be subject to criminal liability or regulatory sanction for such reliance.
(b) A third party who deals with a declaration instrument may presume in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary:
- (1) That the declaration instrument was validly executed; and
- (2) That the declarant was competent at the time the instrument was executed.
- (c) A third party who reasonably relies on a declaration instrument shall not be civilly or criminally liable for the proper application of property delivered or surrendered to comply with the declarant’s instructions in the declaration instrument.
- (d) The directions of a declarant expressed in a declaration instrument shall be binding on all persons as if the declarant were alive and competent.
- (e) A third party who has reasonable cause to question the authenticity or validity of a declaration instrument may promptly and reasonably seek additional information from the person proffering such declaration or from other involved persons. A third party may require exhibition of the original declaration instrument or a notarized copy.
- (f) A third party seeking to fulfill a declarant’s intent regarding disposition of last remains or ceremonial arrangements may disregard such intent if such intent is unreasonable under the circumstances.
74 Del. Laws, c. 295, § 1