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Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
Follow the steps below for the most formal way to end a power of attorney.
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- Power of Attorney Revocation: Use this program if you are the principal (meaning you originally made the power of attorney document) to fill out a form to end the power of attorney.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.
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 the 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.
Additionally, send a copy of the revocation to notify all third parties who might have had a copy of the power of attorney, like your bank or doctor's office.
Other ways a power of attorney may be ended
The steps above explain the most formal way to end or revoke a power of attorney. It's a good idea to follow these formal steps to end a power of attorney.
However, there are other ways a power of attorney may be ended, including:
- Writing and executing a new power of attorney document that says it revokes all prior powers of attorney,
- Destroying the power of attorney document in a way that shows the person meant to revoke or end the power of attorney,
- Orally expressing the intent to end the power of attorney 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, or
- For healthcare powers of attorney, deleting an electronic copy of the document in a way that shows an intention to revoke or end the power of attorney.
Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
