How to revoke a power of attorney in Minnesota

What Minnesota 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

Revoke it only by a written revocation that you sign. If someone signs for you or you sign with a mark, it must be acknowledged before a notary.

If it was recorded
For real estate, recording a revocation that includes the legal description with the county recorder or registrar of titles gives actual notice for that property in that county.

Words used in Minnesota

In Minnesota you name an attorney-in-fact for money and property in a power of attorney, often on the statutory short form. A health care directive can name a health care agent and give health care instructions in one document. If an adult cannot manage, a court can appoint a guardian or conservator, but only if less restrictive options such as supported decision making will not work.

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 short form power of attorney
The person you choose
Attorney-in-fact
Health care
Health care directive (which can include a health care power of attorney naming a health care agent)
Treatment wishes
Health care instructions (part of the health care directive)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal decisions) and conservator (property and money), limited or unlimited

What Minnesota law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to sign
Minnesota requires a revocation to be in writing.
How to revoke

Revoke it only by a written revocation that you sign. If someone signs for you or you sign with a mark, it must be acknowledged before a notary. A guardian or conservator has the same power to revoke that you would have.

Telling others

A revocation does not take effect for anyone until they have actual notice, which means they have received the written revocation. A business that receives a revocation that appears signed by you can rely on it.

If it was recorded

For real estate, recording a revocation that includes the legal description with the county recorder or registrar of titles gives actual notice for that property in that county.

Law: Minn. Stat. § 523.11

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
  • The expiration date in the document (it must be a specific month, day and year)
  • You revoke it
  • You become incapacitated, if it is not durable
  • Proceedings start to dissolve, annul or legally separate your marriage, if the attorney-in-fact is your spouse
Banks and other businesses

A business that refuses to honor a statutory short form power of attorney that meets the conditions in the statute (including a specimen signature of the attorney-in-fact and, for forms signed on or after January 1, 2014, the attorney-in-fact's signed acknowledgment) is liable to you as if it had refused you personally, with some exceptions. A business that relies on the attorney-in-fact's affidavit and has no actual notice of revocation or death is held harmless.

Law: Minn. Stat. 523.16 to 523.20

Law: Minn. Stat. §§ 523.075, 523.08, 523.09, 523.11

Good to know in Minnesota

  • A Minnesota power of attorney is durable only if it says so.

    Law: Minn. Stat. 523.07

  • A revocation of a power of attorney must be written and signed, and it is not effective against anyone until they receive it.

    Law: Minn. Stat. 523.11

  • Starting divorce, annulment or legal separation proceedings ends a spouse's authority as attorney-in-fact and as health care agent.

    Law: Minn. Stat. 523.08, 145C.09

  • Guardianships for people under 30 must have a limited duration of no more than 72 months.

    Law: Minn. Stat. 524.5-310(d)

Changes in 2024–2026

No changes to chapter 523 since 2013. Chapter 145C: 2025 1st Special Session ch. 3 art. 19 amended 145C.01, 145C.17 and 145C.18 (opioid and nonopioid directives), and 2026 ch. 127 art. 14 amended 145C.18. Minn. Stat. 524.5-409 subd. 2 amended by 2026 ch. 95 art. 7. District court filing fees amended in 2023 and 2025.

Law: 357.021 subd. 2

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