How to revoke a power of attorney

You can take it back while you can decide

You can still manage your own money and property after you sign a power of attorney, as long as you are able to make decisions. You can take away (revoke) the agent's authority at any time while you are able to make decisions. If you do, tell the people and businesses the agent was dealing with.

Source: CFPB, Managing Someone Else's Money: Help for agents under a power of attorney · Official text

When the authority ends

The agent's authority ends when the principal revokes it or dies. After the principal dies, the agent may no longer pay the principal's bills and should promptly tell the bank and other businesses. A divorce or legal separation from the principal, or a court naming a guardian or conservator, may also end the agent's authority, depending on the document and state law.

Source: CFPB, Managing Someone Else's Money: Help for agents under a power of attorney · Official text

What the states say

41 of 41 states we cover describe how to revoke a financial power of attorney. Each state page shows the rule and the law.

17 states say something special about a power of attorney that was recorded, for example for real estate. Check your state’s page.

In 37 of 37 states, a divorce ends a former spouse’s authority as agent: see the table (37 states).

41 state pages have a free letter to revoke a power of attorney, made in your browser.

Tell the right people

Keep the signed documents in a safe place and give copies to your health care proxy and your doctors. Some states have registries that store an advance directive for doctors and your proxy.

Source: National Institute on Aging, Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care · Official text

What to look for on your state’s page

• “When it ends and how to revoke it” on your state’s page: the rule for revoking, and who to tell.
• “If it was recorded”: what the law says about a power of attorney that was recorded for real estate.
• “Banks and other businesses”: what happens to a business that did not know about the revocation.
• “Revoking and conflicting documents” under health care: the rule for a health care directive.
• The free letter on the “Revoke a power of attorney” page, to send to the agent and to businesses.

Questions to ask a lawyer or legal aid office

A lawyer or a legal aid office can answer these. This site cannot advise you.

• Is a signed writing enough, or does my state require something more?
• Which banks and businesses should get a copy of the revocation?
• The power of attorney was recorded. What must I record to revoke it?
• Do I need a new power of attorney after I revoke the old one?

Free help

• Legal Services Corporation (LSC) - Find legal aid LSC was set up by Congress and funds 129 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the U.S. territories for people with low incomes. For a civil legal problem, enter an address or city to find one near you.
• LawHelp.org Look up information about your legal question and find free legal forms.
• Eldercare Locator (Area Agencies on Aging) · 1-800-677-1116 A public service of the federal Administration for Community Living that connects older adults and families with local services. You can call, text, chat online or email. For help planning advance directives, the National Institute on Aging suggests contacting your local Area Agency on Aging.
• CFPB guides for financial caregivers Free plain-language guides for agents under a power of attorney, court-appointed guardians and conservators, trustees, and Social Security or VA payees.

Pick your state

Your state's page has the form, the signing rules and the law for your state.

Pick your state

Free tools: the signing checklist and the letters to revoke a power of attorney or a health care directive are on each state's page.