Estates & Powers of attorney
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Follow the steps below for the most formal way to end a power of attorney. These steps apply for ending powers of attorney for health care and powers of attorney for property.
The principal is the person who made the power of attorney document and gave someone else the power to make decisions.
The agent is the person named as an agent in a power of attorney document and given the power to make decisions.
Fill out the appropriate form listed below:
- Power of Attorney Revocation: Use this program if you are the principal (meaning you originally made the power of attorney document) to fill out a form to end the power of attorney.
- Power of Attorney Agent Resignation: Use this program if you are the agent (meaning someone gave you power of attorney) to fill out a form to end the power of attorney.
Once you have filled out and printed the Power of Attorney Revocation or the Power of Attorney Agent Resignation, bring it to a notary to get it notarized. Make multiple copies of the document. Learn more about notaries.
Electronic signatures are allowed in documents that create, exercise, release, or revoke a power of attorney. A notary or witness must be "electronically present" to electronically sign. Electronic presence could be over a video service like Zoom.
If you are the principal, send a copy to the agent so they know that you ended their power of attorney.
If you are the agent, send a copy to the principal so they know that you won't act as their agent anymore.
If you are the principal, send a copy of the revocation of power of attorney to all third parties who might have had a copy of the original POA. For example, if you are revoking a POA for health care, you may send a copy of the revocation to your doctor. If you’re revoking a POA for property, you may want to send a copy to your bank.
Other ways a power of attorney may be ended
The steps above explain the most formal way to end a power of attorney. It's a good idea to follow these formal steps to end a power of attorney.
However, principals can revoke their POA in other ways, including:
- Writing and executing a new power of attorney document that says it revokes all prior powers of attorney,
- Orally expressing the intent to end the POA in front of a witness 18 years or older who signs and dates a written statement confirming that they witnessed the oral communication to end the power of attorney,
- Destroying the POA document in a way that shows the person meant to revoke or end the power of attorney. For example, tearing a small corner off the document won’t show an intent to end the relationship. But tearing the document in half or into pieces will show an intent to end the power of attorney relationship, or
- For health care POAs, deleting an electronic copy of the document in a way that shows an intention to revoke or end the power of attorney.
Note: A POA automatically ends at the principal's death. A POA is not a will. A person could authorize their POA health care agent to see to their remains, such as burial, cremation or organ donation. However, a POA property agent has no power over the principal's belongings or finances at their death.
You may wish to talk to a lawyer about appointing a personal representative to manage your affairs after your death.
Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
