How to revoke a power of attorney in Iowa

What Iowa 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 general (plenary) power of attorney automatically revokes earlier general powers of attorney you signed in Iowa, but not a limited power of attorney for a specific transaction still in progress.

Words used in Iowa

In Iowa you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney, and an attorney in fact for health care in a separate durable power of attorney for health care. A declaration (living will) states that you do not want life-sustaining procedures if you are in a terminal condition. If an adult cannot manage and has no documents, a district court can appoint a guardian or conservator.

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; Iowa Statutory Power of Attorney
The person you choose
Agent (the law treats 'attorney in fact' as the same thing)
Health care
Durable power of attorney for health care (you name an 'attorney in fact')
Treatment wishes
Declaration under the Life-sustaining Procedures Act (often called a living will)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal decisions) and conservator (financial affairs); the adult is the 'protected person'

What Iowa 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 general (plenary) power of attorney automatically revokes earlier general powers of attorney you signed in Iowa, but not a limited power of attorney for a specific transaction still in progress.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every bank or business that has a copy. An agent or other person who acts in good faith without actual knowledge that the power of attorney or the agent's authority has ended is protected, and the act binds you.

Law: Iowa Code § 633B.110(1)-(4), (6)

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
  • An action is filed for divorce, annulment or legal separation from an agent who is your spouse
  • The agent is named in a founded dependent adult abuse report, or convicted of dependent adult abuse, for abusing you (ends that agent's authority)
Banks and other businesses

A person asked to accept a notarized (acknowledged) power of attorney must accept it, or within 7 business days ask for an agent's certification, an English translation or a lawyer's opinion, and then accept it within 5 business days after receiving it, unless a legal reason to refuse applies (for example, good-faith belief it is invalid, or a report of suspected abuse to the Department of Health and Human Services). A person may not demand a different form. A wrongful refusal can lead to a court order to accept it, plus liability for the principal's damages and reasonable attorney fees and costs; the action must be brought within one year of the first request. A photocopy or electronically sent copy has the same effect as the original.

Law: Iowa Code 633B.119, 633B.120; Iowa Code 633B.106(4)

Law: Iowa Code § 633B.110

Good to know in Iowa

  • An Iowa financial power of attorney must be notarized, and your agent cannot be the notary.

    Law: Iowa Code 633B.105

  • Signing a new general power of attorney in Iowa automatically revokes your earlier general powers of attorney signed in Iowa.

    Law: Iowa Code 633B.110(6)

  • An agent loses authority if named in a founded dependent adult abuse report or convicted of dependent adult abuse against you.

    Law: Iowa Code 633B.110(2)

  • Since July 1, 2026, if a person in a terminal condition has no living will or health care agent, Iowa law lets adult relatives or a close adult friend take part in decisions about life support when closer family is not available.

    Law: Iowa Code 144A.7, as amended by 2026 House File 2305

Changes in 2024–2026

2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2305 (approved May 2, 2026, eff. July 1, 2026) rewrote the no-declaration surrogate order in 144A.7 (adds adult relatives and a close adult friend, majority rules for children and siblings), added 144A.7B (resuscitation decisions without an out-of-hospital DNR order), replaced 'attending physician or physician assistant' with 'attending provider' (including advanced registered nurse practitioners) in chapters 144A and 144B, and let guardians make these decisions without court approval. 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2198 (approved April 9, 2026, eff. July 1, 2026) amended 144B.6(2) on what limits a health care attorney in fact. 2024 Iowa Acts ch. 1043 §103 amended 633B.120 (agency name). No 2024-2026 changes to execution or revocation rules in chapters 633B, 144A or 144B.

Law: 633.635(6)

Free help in Iowa

Report abuse or exploitation

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting (Adult Protective Services) · 1-800-362-2178

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