How to revoke a power of attorney in Massachusetts

What Massachusetts 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. To bind a bank or other third party, give them a written revocation you signed; they are treated as knowing of it only when they actually receive it.

If it was recorded
For real estate, a revocation counts as notice when it is recorded under M.G.L. c.

Words used in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts you name an attorney in fact for money and property in a durable power of attorney, and a health care agent in a health care proxy. Massachusetts has no living will law. If an adult cannot manage, the Probate and Family Court can appoint a guardian, a conservator, or both.

An agent (also called an attorney-in-fact) is the person you choose to act for you. You are the principal.

Money and property
Durable power of attorney
The person you choose
Attorney in fact
Health care
Health care proxy (naming a health care agent)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian of an incapacitated person (personal and health decisions) and conservator of a protected person (money and property); both can be limited

What Massachusetts law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney. To bind a bank or other third party, give them a written revocation you signed; they are treated as knowing of it only when they actually receive it.

Telling others

An attorney in fact or other person who acts in good faith without actual knowledge of the revocation is protected. A person other than the attorney in fact is not treated as knowing of the revocation unless it is in a writing signed by you (or your personal representative) and actually received by that person, or, for real estate, recorded.

Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-504(c)

If it was recorded

For real estate, a revocation counts as notice when it is recorded under M.G.L. c. 184, § 25. For registered land, an instrument revoking the power of attorney must be acknowledged and registered with the Land Court registry district like the original.

Law: M.G.L. c. 185, § 110

Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-504

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 revoke it
  • You die (people who act in good faith without knowing of the death are protected)
  • The end date it states
  • You become incapacitated, if it is not durable
  • A conservator or guardian of your estate revokes it
Banks and other businesses

No one acting in good faith reliance on a durable power of attorney is liable for it. The attorney in fact may sue for damages on your behalf if a third party unreasonably refuses to honor a valid durable power of attorney. An affidavit by the attorney in fact that they did not know of a revocation, your death or incapacity is conclusive proof for good-faith reliance.

Law: § 5-507; § 5-506; § 5-505

Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, §§ 5-502, 5-503, 5-504

Good to know in Massachusetts

  • A Massachusetts power of attorney is durable only if it contains words saying it survives your incapacity.

    Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-501

  • Massachusetts has no living will statute and no default surrogate statute; the health care proxy is the main document.

    Law: M.G.L. c. 201D

  • A conservator of your estate can revoke or amend your power of attorney.

    Law: M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-503

  • A health care proxy is revoked by divorce or legal separation when your spouse is the agent.

    Law: M.G.L. c. 201D, § 7

Changes in 2024–2026

Supported decision-making bills are pending in the 194th General Court (S.155 reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways and Means on 10/16/2025; H.5644 reported from House Health Care Financing on 8/10/2026); they are not law. Massachusetts is moving from the MOLST form to the National POLST model (MassPOLST) in Spring 2027 (Executive Office of Aging & Independence).

Free help in Massachusetts

Report abuse or exploitation

Adult Protective Services: Executive Office of Aging & Independence (adults 60+); Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (adults 18-59 with disabilities, 1-800-426-9009) · (800) 922-2275

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