How to revoke a power of attorney in Maryland

What Maryland 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. Title 17 does not prescribe a form or method.

Words used in Maryland

In Maryland you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney, which must be notarized and witnessed by two adults. Your health care agent and treatment wishes go in one advance directive with two witnesses. If an adult cannot manage, a circuit court can appoint a guardian of the person, of the property, or both, but only if no less restrictive option works.

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 (Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act); Maryland Statutory Form Personal Financial Power of Attorney; Maryland Statutory Form Limited Power of Attorney
The person you choose
Agent (attorney in fact)
Health care
Advance directive (Part I: selection of health care agent)
Treatment wishes
Treatment preferences
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian of the person and guardian of the property of a disabled person

What Maryland law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney or an agent's authority. Title 17 does not prescribe a form or method.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every bank or business that has a copy. Death, disability or incompetence does not end the agency for an agent or other person who acts in good faith without actual knowledge of it.

Law: Est. & Trusts § 17-106

Law: Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 17-106, 17-112

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 (a date or event)
  • Its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns, or you revoke the agent's authority, and no other agent is named
  • For an agent married to you: an action is filed for divorce, annulment or legal separation, unless the power of attorney says otherwise
  • A guardian revokes or ends it
Banks and other businesses

A person may not require an additional or different form of power of attorney for authority granted in a statutory form. Refusing an acknowledged statutory form power of attorney in violation of this rule can lead to a court order to accept it and liability for reasonable attorney's fees and costs. An agent's affidavit that they did not know of a revocation or termination is conclusive proof for good-faith acts; an optional Agent's Certification form is in § 17-204.

Law: Est. & Trusts § 17-104; § 17-106(b)

Law: Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 17-105(e), 17-112

Good to know in Maryland

  • A Maryland power of attorney needs BOTH a notary and two adult witnesses; the notary may be one of the witnesses.

    Law: Est. & Trusts § 17-110

  • Unless the document says so, a Maryland agent is not paid for serving, only reimbursed for expenses.

    Law: Est. & Trusts § 17-114

  • An advance directive needs two witnesses but no notary; your agent cannot witness, and at least one witness must not benefit from your death.

    Law: Health-Gen. § 5-602

  • Maryland has had a supported decision-making law since October 1, 2022.

    Law: Est. & Trusts Title 18

Changes in 2024–2026

Attorney General advance directive forms revised May 2024 (now published by the Maryland Department of Health as an accessible version). Circuit Court Fee Schedule revised effective September 2, 2026. Guardianship petition form CC-GN-002 revised 10/2026.

Free help in Maryland

Report abuse or exploitation

Adult Protective Services (Maryland Department of Human Services, local departments of social services) · 1-800-917-7383

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