How to revoke a power of attorney in Kentucky

What Kentucky 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 for an unrecorded power of attorney. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an earlier one unless the new one says so.

If it was recorded
A recorded power of attorney to convey or release property is not treated as revoked until a written revocation, signed and acknowledged like a deed, is lodged for record in the office where the power is recorded, or a memorandum of revocation signed by you and attested by the clerk is made on the margin of the record.

Words used in Kentucky

In Kentucky you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney. For medical care, the Living Will Directive lets you name a health care surrogate and state your wishes about life-prolonging treatment and tube feeding. If an adult cannot decide and has no documents, the law lists who may make health care decisions, and the District Court can appoint a guardian or conservator after a hearing, usually before a jury.

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; statutory form 'Statutory Form Power of Attorney'
The person you choose
Agent (the surrogate law also uses 'attorney-in-fact')
Health care
Advance directive / Living Will Directive, in which you designate a 'health care surrogate'
Treatment wishes
Living Will Directive
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian or limited guardian (personal affairs) and conservator or limited conservator (financial resources) for a 'disabled' or 'partially disabled' adult

What Kentucky 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 for an unrecorded power of attorney. 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 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.

If it was recorded

A recorded power of attorney to convey or release property is not treated as revoked until a written revocation, signed and acknowledged like a deed, is lodged for record in the office where the power is recorded, or a memorandum of revocation signed by you and attested by the clerk is made on the margin of the record.

Law: KRS 457.100(1)(d), (4), (6); KRS 382.370

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
  • A court appoints a guardian or conservator of your estate or other fiduciary for some or all of your property, unless the court specifically keeps the power of attorney in effect
  • You revoke it
  • It says it ends, or its stated 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 dissolution, annulment or legal separation from an agent who is your spouse
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, a good-faith belief it is invalid, or a report to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services of suspected abuse or exploitation). A person may not demand a different form. Wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and liability for reasonable attorney's fees and costs. A photocopy or electronically sent copy has the same effect as the original.

Law: KRS 457.190, 457.200; KRS 457.060(4)

Law: KRS 457.100

Good to know in Kentucky

  • A Kentucky Living Will Directive may be signed before two adult witnesses OR a notary; blood relatives, heirs, your attending physician and facility employees (except as notary) are barred.

    Law: KRS 311.625(2)

  • Appointing a guardian or conservator of the estate ends a power of attorney unless the court keeps it in effect.

    Law: KRS 457.100(1)(c)

  • Disability hearings are jury trials unless the respondent, counsel and the Commonwealth agree to a bench trial and other conditions are met.

    Law: KRS 387.570(7)

  • A recorded power of attorney is revoked only by recording a written revocation where it was recorded, or by a marginal memorandum attested by the clerk.

    Law: KRS 382.370

Changes in 2024–2026

2024 Ky. Acts ch. 138 ('Seth's Law', effective July 15, 2024) amended KRS 311.631 (who may make health care decisions without a directive). 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 77 (effective July 15, 2026) amended KRS 457.090 (who may certify incapacity for a springing power of attorney) and KRS 387.610 (renewal affidavits). 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 92 (effective October 1, 2026) and 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 207 (effective July 15, 2024) amended KRS 387.540 (interdisciplinary evaluation).

Free help in Kentucky

Report abuse or exploitation

Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services, Adult Protection Branch · 1-877-597-2331

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