How to revoke a power of attorney in Alabama

What Alabama law says about revoking a power of attorney, and a free letter you can fill in and print.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

You can revoke a power of attorney or an agent's authority. The Act does not set a required method. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an earlier one unless the new one says so.

Words used in Alabama

In Alabama you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney. For medical care, the Advance Directive for Health Care combines a living will and the naming of a 'health care proxy'. If an adult cannot decide and has no documents, the probate court can appoint a guardian of the person and a conservator of the estate.

An agent (also called an attorney-in-fact) is the person you choose to act for you. You are the principal.

Money and property
Power of attorney; the statutory form is the 'Alabama Power of Attorney Form'
The person you choose
Agent (Alabama law also uses 'attorney in fact' for health care powers of attorney)
Health care
Advance directive for health care (living will and health care proxy); a health care power of attorney under Section 26-1A-404 names an 'attorney in fact'
Treatment wishes
Living will (Section 1 of the Advance Directive for Health Care)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal decisions) and conservator (property); the adult is an 'incapacitated person' or 'protected person'

What Alabama law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney or an agent's authority. The Act does not set a required method. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an earlier one unless the new one says so.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every bank or business that has a copy. An agent who acts in good faith without actual knowledge that the power of attorney or the agent's authority has ended is protected, and so is a person who relies on an acknowledged power of attorney without actual knowledge that it has ended.

Law: Ala. Code §§ 26-1A-110(a)(3), (d), (f), 26-1A-119(c)

Source: Official text

Free letter: revoke a power of attorney

The date on the document you signed. If you are not sure, use your best estimate.

These names go into your letter only. They are never saved or sent to us.

Other formats

Sign the letter and keep a copy. This tool does not check whether your document is valid, and it is not legal advice.

When it ends and how to revoke it

It ends when
  • You die
  • You become incapacitated, if the power of attorney is not durable
  • You revoke it
  • It says it ends, or its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns, or you revoke the agent's authority, and no other agent is named
  • A court-appointed fiduciary (such as a conservator) revokes it
  • An action is filed for divorce, annulment or legal separation from an agent who is your spouse
Banks and other businesses

For a notarized (acknowledged) power of attorney, a person must either carry out the transaction or ask for an agent's certification, an English translation or a lawyer's opinion within a reasonable time (not less than 7 business days), and may not demand a different form. Refusal is allowed for listed reasons, for example a good-faith belief the power of attorney is invalid, or a report to the Department of Human Resources about possible abuse or exploitation. Wrongful refusal can lead to a court order to accept it and liability for reasonable attorney fees and costs. A photocopy or electronically sent copy has the same effect as the original.

Law: Ala. Code §§ 26-1A-119, 26-1A-120; § 26-1A-106(d)

Law: Ala. Code § 26-1A-110

Good to know in Alabama

  • Alabama advance directive witnesses must be at least 19, not 18.

    Law: Ala. Code § 22-8A-4(c)(4)

  • Tube feeding may be withheld or withdrawn under a living will or by a proxy only if the document specifically authorizes it.

    Law: Ala. Code § 22-8A-4(a), (b)

  • You can record a living will with your county probate judge for a $5 fee plus other recording fees; it is not open to the public.

    Law: Ala. Code § 22-8A-14

  • A health care proxy must accept the appointment in writing, attached to the directive.

    Law: Ala. Code § 22-8A-4(b)

Changes in 2024–2026

Act 2026-488 (effective January 1, 2027) repeals Ala. Code § 26-2A-107 and adds § 26-2A-107.1 on temporary or emergency guardians for adults (a hospital may petition), and amends §§ 26-2A-20, 26-2A-103, 26-2A-134 and 26-2A-136. The Colby Act (supported decision-making) was enacted in 2023. Act 2022-434 amended the surrogate law.

Law: Act 2023-134; § 22-8A-11

Free help in Alabama

Report abuse or exploitation

Alabama Department of Human Resources, Adult Protective Services · 1-800-458-7214

More for Alabama