How to revoke a power of attorney in Maine

What Maine 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 a particular agent's authority, while you are not incapacitated. The Act does not prescribe a method.

Words used in Maine

In Maine you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney, and a health care agent in an advance health care directive. Your treatment wishes are 'individual instructions' in the same directive. If an adult cannot manage and less restrictive options will not work, the county probate 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 (durable power of attorney) under the Maine Uniform Power of Attorney Act
The person you choose
Agent
Health care
Advance health care directive, which can include a power of attorney for health care
Treatment wishes
Individual instructions
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal decisions) and conservator (property and money); full or limited

What Maine law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney, or a particular agent's authority, while you are not incapacitated. The Act does not prescribe a method. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an older one unless the new one says so.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every business that has the power of attorney. An agent or business that acts in good faith without actual knowledge of the revocation is protected.

Law: 18-C M.R.S. § 5-910(1)(C), (2)(A), (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
  • The document says it ends
  • Its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, resigns or is revoked and no other agent is named
  • An action is filed to end or annul your marriage to the agent or for legal separation, unless the document says otherwise
  • Termination steps for a registered domestic partnership with the agent
Banks and other businesses

A person asked to accept a notarized (acknowledged) power of attorney must accept it, or ask for an agent's certification, an English translation or an opinion of counsel, within 7 business days, and then accept within 5 business days after getting it. They cannot demand their own form. Refusal is allowed only for listed reasons (for example, a good faith belief the power is invalid, or a report of suspected abuse to the Department of Health and Human Services). A wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and payment of attorney's fees and costs.

Law: 18-C M.R.S. §§ 5-919, 5-920

Law: 18-C M.R.S. § 5-910

Good to know in Maine

  • Every Maine power of attorney must be notarized; witnesses alone are not enough.

    Law: 18-C M.R.S. § 5-905

  • A Maine durable power of attorney must include the statutory notices to the principal and the agent.

    Law: 18-C M.R.S. § 5-905(2)

  • A power of attorney for health care needs 2 witnesses and wet (in-person) signatures; electronic signatures are not allowed.

    Law: 18-C M.R.S. § 5-803(2)

  • Filing for divorce, annulment or legal separation ends a spouse agent's financial authority unless the document says otherwise; a final decree revokes a spouse's appointment as health care agent.

    Law: 18-C M.R.S. §§ 5-910(2)(C), 5-804(4)

Changes in 2024–2026

No 2024-2026 amendments to the Maine Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Part 9) or the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act (Part 8) appear in the statute history. Adult guardianship sections were amended in 2025 (PL 2025, c. 18 on confidentiality of records; c. 168 on termination or modification, § 5-319; c. 316 on professional evaluation, § 5-306; c. 511 on compensation and attorneys).

Free help in Maine

Report abuse or exploitation

Maine DHHS Office of Aging and Disability Services, Adult Protective Services · 1-800-624-8404

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